IMD issues extreme heat alert for these Indian states during Lok Sabha election: Check out
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday raised serious concerns over the country predicted to experience extreme heat during the April to June period, with the central and western peninsular parts set to face the brunt of the unfolding crisis.
The tough period coincides with the upcoming Lok Sabha election, making it immensely important for all stakeholders to prepare for the hotter-than-normal duration in advance. The poor are feared to encounter the biggest impact of extreme heat.
Roughly two to eight days of heatwave are likely in several areas of central India, northern plains and south India in April, against a normal of one to three days. The IMD identified Gujarat, Maharashtra, north Karnataka, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and west Madhya Pradesh.
Extreme heat predictions and deepening climate crisis
Elevated temperatures pose significant risks, especially for the elderly, children and those with pre-existing health conditions. The Department has asked authorities to take proactive measures as prolonged periods of extreme heat can lead to strain on infrastructure.
“This includes providing access to cooling centres, issuing heat advisories and implementing strategies to alleviate urban heat island effects in affected areas,” it noted. Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju said he recently discussed the situation with stakeholders.
The predictions have come against a backdrop of a deepening climate emergency. Human activity-led climate change is intensifying extreme events across the globe, triggering unprecedented health crises and critical losses of life and property.
Brief idea on IMD forecasts:
The climate crisis has turned into one of the greatest threats to humanity. It has become imperative than ever to limit usage of polluting fossil fuels, scale up production of clean energy and utilise carbon capture technologies to the maximum extent.
In terms of other forecasts, here is a concise idea.
1. Normal to below-normal temperatures over some parts of the western Himalayan region, northeastern states and north Odisha
2. Above-normal heatwave days over most parts in the plains
3. Ten to 20 days of heatwave across different parts of India, against a normal four to eight days
4. Gujarat, central Maharashtra, Rajasthan, north Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, north Chattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh facing the brunt of heatwaves
5. Above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts in April, particularly central south India
