Syllabus: GS-I, Subject: Geography, Topic: Climatology, Issue: Heatwaves
Context: The summer of 2024 will witness above-normal heatwave days due to El Nino conditions as per Indian Meteorological Department.
El Nino:. Unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern regions of the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Impact of El Nino on India’s weather:
- Reduced Rainfall: It can cause a delay in the arrival of the monsoon, as well as weakening the monsoon winds.
- Drought Conditions: Impacting agriculture and water supplies, causing economic hardship, particularly for India’s large rural population.
- Spatial Variation in rainfall
- Heat Waves: increased occurrences of heat waves during the summer.
Prelims Connect (Institutions in News):
| Indian Meteorological Department(IMD)
● India’s national meteorological agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. ● Founded in 1875. Meteorology is the scientific study of the Earth’s atmosphere. It delves into understanding weather phenomena such as Temperature, Humidity etc. Key Responsibilities: ● Weather Forecasting. ● Cyclone Monitoring and Warning. ● Severe Weather Warnings: Issuing warnings for heat waves, cold waves, thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, floods, etc. ● Seismology: Monitoring and reporting earthquake activity across India. |
Heatwaves are characterised by abnormally high temperatures and extended durations.
IMD criteria: When the maximum temperature at a station reaches at least
- 40°C or more for plains and
- 37°C or more for coastal stations, and
- 30°C or more for hilly regions.
Consequences of heatwaves:
- Human Health: Heat Stroke, Dehydration, Heat exhaustion, Exacerbation of pre-existing health conditions, Mental health impacts.
- Environmental: Increased wildfires, Reduced agricultural yields, Water scarcity, Impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
- Social and economic impacts: Increased strain on healthcare systems, Labor disruptions, Infrastructure damage.
