India is experiencing extreme heat, and swathes of the country are bracing for more scorching temperatures, according to the Indian Meteorological Department. The department issued a heat wave alert for seven southern and central states, including New Delhi and some northern regions where temperatures surpassed normal levels. T
he heat wave is expected to continue for several days before the monsoon season brings some relief. The monsoon season has been slightly delayed, which could increase the duration of extreme temperatures. In Uttar Pradesh, some regions experienced blackouts lasting over 12 hours despite a March order for power plants across the country to run at full capacity. Weather officials predict that the heat wave in the state will continue for another two days.
Hundreds of residents in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, protested outside power stations over the weekend, expressing their frustration at the blackouts that lasted for more than 12 hours due to the extreme heat. Roads were blocked, and protesters called for the state government to take action to resolve the power outages.
The relentless heat has left many denizens staying indoors to escape the searing temperatures and given birth to a feeling of imprisonment. Some, like Ramesh Gupta, have resorted to uncomfortable measures to keep cool, such as sleeping in their car with the air conditioning on. Sukhai Ram, a gardener, had to discontinue work and wait until evening to resume due to the high temperatures.
As a result of the extreme heat, dairy workers have taken to wrapping their cans with jute to prevent the milk from spoiling, and construction workers are hosing themselves down in an attempt to find temporary relief from the scorching temperatures. Nighttime temperatures are also climbing, resulting in an uptick in power requirement to run fans and air conditioners.
The summer months of April, May, and June are usually warm in most parts of India before monsoon rains provide cooling relief, but in the past decade, temperatures have intensified. The country often experiences severe water shortages during heatwaves, with tens of millions of its 1.4 billion inhabitants lacking access to running water.
According to a study by the World Weather Attribution, a group that analyzes the origins of extreme temperatures, a heatwave that struck parts of South Asia in April was at least 30 times more probable due to climate change.
The heat led to 13 casualties at a government event last month in Mumbai and forced several states to shut down schools for a week. Scientists say that temperatures in South Asia are at least 2°C (3.6°F) higher than pre-industrial levels due to climate change, and the world is currently 1.1 to 1.2°C (2 to 2.2°F) warmer, on average. The lack of access to healthcare and cooling solutions like air conditioners and fans for a significant portion of the region’s population is a cause for concern, according to Emmanuel Raju, the director of the Copenhagen Centre for Disaster Research at the University of Copenhagen.
South Asia is considered one of the regions most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, according to global climate studies. However, India, which is the largest country in the region and the most populous in the world, currently ranks as the third-highest emitter of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Scientists believe that only drastic measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions will make a difference. If greenhouse gas emissions continue, heat waves will become more common, temperatures will rise, hot days will increase in frequency, and the overall effects of climate change in the region will be aggravated.