The extreme heat wave in Saudi Arabia led to over 1,300 Hajj pilgrims dying due to weather-related issues.The temperature in Saudi Arabia reached 125 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius) this year, with the majority of the unauthorised Hajj pilgrims travelling via foot through the deserts.
Back home, The Union Health Ministry reported that 143 people across India had succumbed to heatstroke this summer, based on confirmed data from States as of June 20.
The Health Ministry’s data shows Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of such deaths at 35, followed by Delhi with 21 deaths. Rajasthan and Odisha each reported 17 fatalities due to heatstroke. Ministry sources suggest that the death toll may increase as investigations into some suspected heatstroke-related deaths are ongoing.
Global warming is certainly taking a huge toll. Rising temperatures and the subsequent increase in humidity have had deadly effects on the population. Temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius are dangerous for living beings, and those above 55 degrees Celsius are unliveable. The extreme heat has taken a toll on humans, livestock, and both domestic and wild animals.
According to a study published in PLOS Climate, heat waves are becoming more frequent, intense, and deadly due to climate change. More than 90% of India could experience abnormal temperatures as a result.
Heat waves are extreme weather events characterised by prolonged periods of excessively high temperatures. They are primarily caused by a combination of atmospheric conditions and human-induced factors.
When high atmospheric pressure dominates an area, it forces hot air downward and traps it close to the ground. This high-pressure system acts like a lock, preventing the hot air from rising and inhibiting the formation of rain. As a result, temperatures soar.
Urban areas can feel 3 to 4 degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas due to the urban heat island effect, where concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat.
Over the past century, global temperatures have increased by an average of 0.8 degrees Celsius. This warming trend has led to more frequent and intense heat waves.
Not only are daytime temperatures rising, but night time temperatures are also increasing, exacerbating the impact of heat waves.
Climate change is causing heat waves to last longer and become more severe globally.
Regions with moderate to high heat are exposed to intense UV radiation, further increasing heat stress.
Heat waves have widespread and severe effects on various aspects of life, from the economy to public health, livestock, food security, and workers. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate their consequences.
Higher-than-normal temperatures harm crop yields. Rising temperatures, lack of public awareness, and inadequate long-term mitigation measures contribute to heat-related deaths.
Heat waves and droughts simultaneously threaten food security.A comprehensive Heat Waves Action Plan is crucial for regions prone to heat waves. This plan should focus on disaster adaptation techniques and robust disaster management regulations to reduce the negative effects of heat waves.
The government must prioritise creating a long-term action plan to safeguard people, animals, and wildlife. Heat-related deaths can be prevented with proper planning.
Human activities produce large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs), primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), and thus contribute to global warming. The use of fossil fuels is the primary source of CO2 emissions, but the removal of trees from forested land has also contributed to global warming.
Despite experts pointing out the hazards of tampering with nature, we continue to turn a blind eye and greed has taken over entire governance system.
The only way to combat growing heat is going for nature-based solutions. There has to be more efforts to reverse deforestation by going for afforestation that too with fruit and shade bearing trees and not ornamental trees like palm trees, which are of no use.
Raising public awareness and implementing early warning systems are critical in reducing heat wave fatalities.
We need a collective resolve to mitigate the impact of warming by taking appropriate steps. The deaths due to heat wave this year should wake up our political leadership, which continues to remain in deep slumber.
