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Delhi experiences scorching temperatures reaching record high of 49.9°C

Delhi, the capital city of India, experienced scorching temperatures reaching a record high of 49.9°C on Tuesday, surpassing normal levels by approximately 10 degrees. The sweltering conditions have prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red warning for Wednesday and an orange warning for Thursday, indicating the persistence of the heatwave. A recent study conducted by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) in Delhi has linked the extreme heat in the Indian capital to rapid urbanization and increased construction activities. As Delhi's urban landscape has expanded, with built-up areas escalating from 31.4percent in 2003 to 38.2percent in 2022, the phenomenon of urban heat stress has intensified, exacerbating the effects of rising temperatures. Typically, India experiences its peak annual temperatures during the months of April, May, and June before the onset of the monsoon season brings relief from the heat. However, recent years have seen a trend of unusually high temperatures, with the IMD forecasting the arrival of monsoons in Delhi and its surrounding areas around June 30. The severity of the current heatwave extends beyond Delhi, as the IMD has issued red warnings for "heatwave to severe heatwave" conditions in several regions across North India, including parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Maharashtra. Tragically, the heatwave has already claimed at least 60 lives, according to reports from Mint newspapers citing data from the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC). These casualties underscore the lethal impact of extreme heat events on vulnerable populations. Furthermore, scientific studies have highlighted the role of human-induced climate change in exacerbating heatwaves in South Asia. A study conducted in 2023 revealed that intense heatwaves in the region are now approximately 30 times more likely due to climate change. Data presented by the Health Ministry in the national parliament indicated that at least 264 people succumbed to heatwave-related fatalities across 14 states last year, further underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation and mitigation measures.

Experts warn of heat risks as India's temperatures climb again

Extreme temperatures across India are having their worst impact in the country's teeming megacities, experts said Thursday, warning that the heat is fast becoming a public health crisis. India is enduring a crushing heat wave with temperatures in several cities sizzling well above 45 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Temperature readings in the capital New Delhi rose into the high 40s Celsius this week, with power usage in the city—where the population is estimated at more than 30 million—surging to a record high on Wednesday. "Cities are more vulnerable to the compounding effects of urbanization and climate change," said Aarti Khosla, director at research institute Climate Trends. "Expect a greater number of hotter days, prolonged dry spells and fewer rainy days as weather patterns continue to change due to increased human emissions," she told AFP. Heat ward and ice baths In Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, a specialized unit is busy treating patients with heat-related illnesses. Equipped with immersion ice baths, the unit has treated eight heat-struck patients in the past week. One person died Wednesday, medics said, with a body temperature that had surged to a fatal 41.5C (106.7F). Among those admitted to the unit were manual laborers, most aged between 40 and 50, who work under the blazing sun. "Treatment depends upon very quick, very rapid intervention and very rapid cooling," hospital director Ajay Shukla said, warning that the mortality rate for severe cases is around "60-80 percent". The rising temperatures hit the vulnerable the hardest, including those on the economic margins, experts said. "When the individual is dehydrated, extreme heat exposure will thicken their blood and cause organs to shut down, resulting in death within hours, popularly called 'heat stroke'," said Vidhya Venugopal, director at Sri Ram Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai. "We urgently need... action to protect exposed populations." Workers stack ice blocks at a market during a hot summer day in New Delhi on May 30. 'About survivability' India is no stranger to searing summer temperatures but years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heat waves to become longer, more frequent and more intense. The highest confirmed temperature ever recorded in India was 51C (123.8F), in Phalodi on the edge of Rajasthan's Thar Desert in 2016. Khosla, from Climate Trends, described heat waves as "the single largest threat to India's well-being today", adding that recent high temperatures were "proof that the issue is now about survivability". No relief comes at night. A study published by New Delhi's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) this month said Indian cities were not cooling down after sunset as much as they had in the decade of 2001-2010. It found temperatures then had dropped after dusk nearly 2C more than today. "Hot nights are as dangerous as midday peak temperatures," it said. "People get little chance to recover from daytime heat... exerting prolonged stress on the body." 'Caused by burning coal' Researchers say human-induced climate change has driven the devastating heat impact in India and should be taken as a warning. "The suffering India is facing this week is worse because of climate change, caused by burning coal, oil and gas and deforestation," said Friederike Otto, a climatologist at the Imperial College London and director of World Weather Attribution. The world's most populous nation is the third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases but has committed to achieve a net zero emissions economy by 2070—two decades after most of the industrialized West. For now, it is overwhelmingly reliant on coal for power generation. The government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking a third term in ongoing elections, says the fossil fuel remains central to meeting India's rising energy needs and lifting millions out of poverty. "What we are seeing in India is exactly what scientists said would happen if we didn't stop heating the planet," Otto said.

Experts warn of heat risks as India's temperatures climb again

Extreme temperatures across India are having their worst impact in the country's teeming megacities, experts said Thursday, warning that the heat is fast becoming a public health crisis. India is enduring a crushing heatwave with temperatures in several cities sizzling well above 45 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Temperature readings in the capital New Delhi rose into the high 40s Celsius this week, with power usage in the city -- where the population is estimated at more than 30 million -- surging to a record high on Wednesday. "Cities are more vulnerable to the compounding effects of urbanisation and climate change," said Aarti Khosla, director at research institute Climate Trends. "Expect a greater number of hotter days, prolonged dry spells and less rainy days as weather patterns continue to change due to increased human emissions," she told AFP. - Heat ward and ice baths - In Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, a specialised unit is busy treating patients with heat-related illnesses. Equipped with immersion ice baths, the unit has treated eight heat-struck patients in the past week. One person died Wednesday, medics said, with a body temperature that had surged to a fatal 41.5C (106.7F). Among those admitted to the unit were manual labourers, most aged between 40 and 50, who work under the blazing sun. "Treatment depends upon very quick, very rapid intervention and very rapid cooling," hospital director Ajay Shukla said, warning that the mortality rate for severe cases is around "60-80 percent". The rising temperatures hit the vulnerable the hardest, including those on the economic margins, experts said. "When the individual is dehydrated, extreme heat exposure will thicken their blood and cause organs to shut down, resulting in death within hours, popularly called 'heat stroke’," said Vidhya Venugopal, director at Sri Ram Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai. "We urgently need... action to protect exposed populations." - 'About survivability' - India is no stranger to searing summer temperatures but years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense. The highest confirmed temperature ever recorded in India was 51C (123.8F), in Phalodi on the edge of Rajasthan's Thar Desert in 2016. Khosla, from Climate Trends, described heatwaves as "the single largest threat to India's well-being today", adding that recent high temperatures were "proof that the issue is now about survivability". No relief comes at night. A study published by New Delhi's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) this month said Indian cities were not cooling down after sunset as much as they had in the decade of 2001-2010. It found temperatures then had dropped after dusk nearly 2C more than today. "Hot nights are as dangerous as midday peak temperatures," it said. "People get little chance to recover from daytime heat... exerting prolonged stress on the body." - 'Caused by burning coal' - Researchers say human-induced climate change has driven the devastating heat impact in India and should be taken as a warning. "The suffering India is facing this week is worse because of climate change, caused by burning coal, oil and gas and deforestation," said Friederike Otto, a climatologist at the Imperial College London and director of World Weather Attribution. The world's most populous nation is the third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases but has committed to achieve a net zero emissions economy by 2070 -- two decades after most of the industrialised West. For now, it is overwhelmingly reliant on coal for power generation. The government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking a third term in ongoing elections, says the fossil fuel remains central to meeting India's rising energy needs and lifting millions out of poverty. "What we are seeing in India is exactly what scientists said would happen if we didn't stop heating the planet," Otto said.

Cities Worst Hit By Heatwaves, Say Experts, Warn Of Hotter Days

New Delhi, India: Extreme temperatures across India are having their worst impact in the country's teeming megacities, experts said Thursday, warning that the heat is fast becoming a public health crisis. India is enduring a crushing heatwave with temperatures in several cities sizzling well over 45 degrees Celsius. Temperature readings in the capital New Delhi rose into the high 40s Celsius on Wednesday, with power usage in the city -- where the population is estimated at more than 30 million -- surging to a record high. Indian media reports said Thursday that a labourer in the city had died of heatstroke. "Cities are more vulnerable to the compounding effects of urbanisation and climate change," said Aarti Khosla, director at research institute Climate Trends. "Expect a greater number of hotter days, prolonged dry spells and less rainy days as weather patterns continue to change due to increased human emissions," she told AFP. Khosla described heatwaves as "the single largest threat to India's well-being today", adding that recent temperatures in Delhi and the surrounding region were "proof that the issue is now about survivability". India is no stranger to searing summer temperatures but years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense. A study published by New Delhi's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) this month said cities were not cooling down at night as much as they had in the 2001-2010 decade. It found the maximum temperature decline was nearly 2 degrees Celsius smaller than previously. "Hot nights are as dangerous as midday peak temperatures," it said. "People get little chance to recover from daytime heat slaughter if temperatures remain high overnight, exerting prolonged stress on the body." The highest confirmed temperature ever recorded in India was 51 degrees Celsius, in Phalodi on the edge of Rajasthan's Thar Desert in 2016. Researchers say human-induced climate change has driven the devastating heat impact in India and should be taken as a warning. "The suffering India is facing this week is worse because of climate change, caused by burning coal, oil and gas and deforestation," said Friederike Otto, a climatologist at the Imperial College London and director of World Weather Attribution. "What we are seeing in India is exactly what scientists said would happen if we didn't stop heating the planet," she said. The world's most populous nation is the third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases but has committed to achieve a net zero emissions economy by 2070 -- two decades after most of the industrialised West. For now, it is overwhelmingly reliant on coal for power generation.

Experts Warn of Heatwaves as India Braces for Climbing Temperatures

Experts are sounding the alarm as India’s megacities reel under a relentless heatwaves, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in several urban centers. The scorching conditions have prompted concerns of a burgeoning public health crisis. New Delhi, home to over 30 million people, witnessed temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by record-breaking power consumption. Tragically, reports emerged of a laborer succumbing to heatstroke in the capital city. According to Aarti Khosla of Climate Trends, urbanization and climate change exacerbate the vulnerability of cities to extreme heat. With climate patterns shifting due to human emissions, Khosla warns of more frequent and intense heatwave, posing a grave threat to India’s well-being. Recent research by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that Indian cities are experiencing warmer nights, providing little respite from the scorching daytime temperatures. The study emphasizes the danger posed by hot nights, prolonging stress on the body and hindering recovery from daytime heat exposure. The impact of climate change on India’s heatwaves is undeniable, with the country experiencing longer, hotter summers. Friederike Otto, a climatologist, attributes India’s suffering to human-induced climate change, stressing the urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Despite commitments to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, India remains heavily reliant on coal for energy production. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government defends the use of fossil fuels to meet energy demands and alleviate poverty, even as the nation grapples with the dire consequences of climate change. As India confronts the harsh realities of an escalating heatwave, the urgent call to address climate change grows louder, emphasizing the critical need for sustainable energy policies to safeguard public health and mitigate the devastating impacts of extreme weather events.

Experts warn of heat risks as India's temperatures climb again

A study published by New Delhi's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) this month said Indian cities were not cooling down after sunset as much as they had in the decade of 2001-2010. It found temperatures then had dropped after dusk nearly 2C more than today. "Hot nights are as dangerous as midday peak temperatures," it said. "People get little chance to recover from daytime heat... exerting prolonged stress on the body."

Experts warn of heat risks as India's temperatures climb again

New Delhi: Extreme temperatures across India are having their worst impact in the country's teeming megacities, experts said Thursday, warning that the heat is fast becoming a public health crisis. India is enduring a crushing heatwave with temperatures in several cities sizzling well above 45 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Temperature readings in the capital New Delhi rose into the high 40s Celsius this week, with power usage in the city -- where the population is estimated at more than 30 million -- surging to a record high on Wednesday. "Cities are more vulnerable to the compounding effects of urbanisation and climate change," said Aarti Khosla, director at research institute Climate Trends. "Expect a greater number of hotter days, prolonged dry spells and less rainy days as weather patterns continue to change due to increased human emissions," she told AFP. Heat ward and ice baths In Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, a specialised unit is busy treating patients with heat-related illnesses. Equipped with immersion ice baths, the unit has treated eight heat-struck patients in the past week. One person died Wednesday, medics said, with a body temperature that had surged to a fatal 41.5C (106.7F). Among those admitted to the unit were manual labourers, most aged between 40 and 50, who work under the blazing sun. "Treatment depends upon very quick, very rapid intervention and very rapid cooling," hospital director Ajay Shukla said, warning that the mortality rate for severe cases is around "60-80 percent". The rising temperatures hit the vulnerable the hardest, including those on the economic margins, experts said. "When the individual is dehydrated, extreme heat exposure will thicken their blood and cause organs to shut down, resulting in death within hours, popularly called 'heat stroke'," said Vidhya Venugopal, director at Sri Ram Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai. "We urgently need... action to protect exposed populations." 'About survivability' India is no stranger to searing summer temperatures but years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense. The highest confirmed temperature ever recorded in India was 51C (123.8F), in Phalodi on the edge of Rajasthan's Thar Desert in 2016. Khosla, from Climate Trends, described heatwaves as "the single largest threat to India's well-being today", adding that recent high temperatures were "proof that the issue is now about survivability". No relief comes at night. A study published by New Delhi's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) this month said Indian cities were not cooling down after sunset as much as they had in the decade of 2001-2010. It found temperatures then had dropped after dusk nearly 2C more than today. "Hot nights are as dangerous as midday peak temperatures," it said. "People get little chance to recover from daytime heat... exerting prolonged stress on the body." 'Caused by burning coal' Researchers say human-induced climate change has driven the devastating heat impact in India and should be taken as a warning. "The suffering India is facing this week is worse because of climate change, caused by burning coal, oil and gas and deforestation," said Friederike Otto, a climatologist at the Imperial College London and director of World Weather Attribution. The world's most populous nation is the third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases but has committed to achieve a net zero emissions economy by 2070 -- two decades after most of the industrialised West. For now, it is overwhelmingly reliant on coal for power generation. The government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking a third term in ongoing elections, says the fossil fuel remains central to meeting India's rising energy needs and lifting millions out of poverty. "What we are seeing in India is exactly what scientists said would happen if we didn't stop heating the planet," Otto said.

Bihar Battles Blistering Heatwaves During Critical Election Days; Over 100 Students Faint Due to Heat

Thursday, May 30: While neighbouring Northeast India welcomes the refreshing onset of the monsoon, Bihar is grappling with a severe heatwave. As a result, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for today (May 30) and an orange alert (May 31) for tomorrow. The relentless heat is not only scorching during the day but also stifling at night, with over a dozen districts experiencing unusually warm nights since early this week. High daytime temperatures are typical in Bihar's summer, but the alarming rise in nighttime temperatures is a new phenomenon, adding to the discomfort. Daytime temperatures have exceeded 45°C in some areas, providing little relief even after sunset. “IMD Patna has issued a red alert for Gaya, Aurangabad and Rohtas and an orange alert for hot nights in 14 districts, including Patna, on May 30. There was a similar alert for hot nights on May 29 and 28 in several districts". The state's disaster management department reported that heatwave conditions have claimed eight lives, including a police official, in the past 24 hours. Over 100 students from government-run schools fainted due to the extreme heat. In fact, there is no respite from the extreme heat forecast for May 30, 31, and June 1, the days when the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections will be held for eight of the 40 seats in the state. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered the closure of all government-run schools until June 8 following an outcry from parents and opposition parties regarding school timings during the heatwave. This decision highlights the inadequacies in implementing the Bihar Heat Action Plan (HAP), which mandates adjusting school timings by the end of May. Aurangabad recorded the state's highest temperature at 48.2°C on Wednesday, followed by 47.4°C in Gaya. Patna saw a high of 43°C with heatwave-like conditions. The extreme heat is breaking historical records, with Gaya recording its highest temperature to date at 47.4°C on May 29, 2024. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed with heat-related cases. “The number of patients with sunstroke, dehydration, fever, and other symptoms due to high temperatures is increasing daily,” said a senior doctor at Gaya Medical College and Hospital. The extreme weather conditions are posing significant challenges, particularly for lower-income working-class people who must work outdoors. Multiple cases of students fainting at school were reported, sparking protests and roadblocks in some areas due to inadequate medical response. A recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) noted that Indian cities, including Patna, are no longer cooling down at night as they did a decade ago. This study indicated a decrease in nighttime cooling across major cities over the past ten years.

India reports first heat-related death this year

A study published by New Delhi’s Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) this month said Indian cities were not cooling down at night as much as they had in the 2001-10 decade. It found the maximum temperature decline was nearly 2C (35.6F) smaller than previously. The highest confirmed temperature ever recorded in India was 51C (123.8F), in Phalodi on the edge of Rajasthan’s Thar Desert in 2016.

Indian cities no longer cooling down at night, finds CSE study

While cities used to cool down considerably at night, the study shows this nighttime cooling has significantly reduced in recent years. Photo for representation: iStock A new study by Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed a dangerous trend in India’s biggest cities: Heat waves are becoming deadlier due to a combination of rising temperatures, increasing humidity and urban expansion. The research has also uncovered a worrying phenomenon: cities are not cooling down at night as much as they did during 2001-2010. The study, Decoding the Urban Heat Stress among Indian cities, analysed data from six major cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru — over a period of 23 years (January 2001- April 2024). It found that while air temperatures haven’t risen significantly in some cities, increased humidity is worsening the heat stress people experience. Read more: Heat index is a critical tool to help beat heat stress Heat stress results from a combination of air temperature, land surface temperature, and relative humidity, causing acute thermal discomfort and increased heat-related diseases in cities. Even if air temperatures vary, high relative humidity and land surface temperatures exacerbate discomfort. The United States’ National Weather Service states that the heat index, which includes humidity, indicates how hot it feels, with a heat index of 41 degrees Celsius being dangerous for human health. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at CSE, in a statement said: Assessing the changing trend in heat, relative humidity and land surface temperature along with day and nighttime temperatures is necessary to develop a comprehensive heat management plan for the urban centres. Further, this is needed to implement emergency measures during heatwaves to protect public health, and also to develop longer term strategies to mitigate heat by increasing green areas and waterbodies, improving thermal comfort in buildings and reducing waste heat from vehicles, air conditioners and industries, she added. “Addressing the combination of high heat and humidity is particularly important as this can compromise the human body’s main cooling mechanism: sweating. The evaporation of sweat from skin cools our bodies, but higher humidity levels limit this natural cooling,” said Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager, Urban Lab, CSE. Read more: Move over record air temperatures, Delhi’s scorched land surface is making waves As a result, people can suffer heat stress and illness, and the consequences can even be fatal even at much lower ambient temperatures. Interestingly, night time temperature is remaining elevated in cities, he added. The culprit behind rising humidity? Uncontrolled urban sprawl. The study found a direct correlation between an increase in built-up area and a rise in urban heat stress in all six cities. For example, Chennai have seen their green cover shrink by nearly 14 per cent in the last two decades, while concretisation has doubled. This trend is creating a vicious cycle. Concrete absorbs and retains heat, contributing to the “urban heat island effect” where cities are significantly warmer than surrounding areas. Hotter nights are another worrying finding. While cities used to cool down considerably at night, the study shows this nighttime cooling has significantly reduced in recent years. This means people get little respite from the daytime heat, further impacting their health. The consequences of this deadly combination are severe. The study highlighted a rise in the number of days with a heat index exceeding 41°C (considered dangerous for human health) in cities like Kolkata and Chennai. Additionally, monsoons are no longer providing relief, with some cities experiencing hotter and more humid conditions during this period compared to pre-monsoon months. Read more: The reality of living with 50℃ temperatures in our major cities The CSE study calls for urgent action to mitigate this growing threat, with several key recommendations. The researchers called for implementing city-specific heat management plans that go beyond just emergency response during heat waves and focusing on reducing heat generation from buildings, vehicles, and industries. The study also called for reversing land use by increasing green cover and water bodies in cities to create a cooling effect. Strengthening scientific monitoring of heat-related factors like land use and surface temperatures and developing emergency action plans to protect vulnerable populations during heat waves are also important, it pointed out.