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अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन से ही प्रदूषण मुक्त होंगी देश की नदियां

जब तक हम अपना अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन तंत्र ठीक नहीं कर लेते, नदियों को प्रदूषण मुक्त नहीं किया जा सकता। जरूरी है कि शहरों का सीवेज प्रबंधन समुचित हो और उद्योग प्रदूषण न फैलाएं। जलवायु संकट के इस दौर में हमें यह चुनौती पहचाननी ही होगी। वर्षा की अनियमितता के कारण पानी की कमी बढ़ती जाएगी। हमें इस तनाव का प्रबंधन करना ही होगा। जलाशयों में वर्षा जल का संचय तो करना ही होगा, यह भी सुनिश्चित करना होगा कि जल की एक बूंद भी प्रदूषित न हो। सतत विकास की हरित अवधारणा की पैरोकार, सीएसई की महानिदेशक जब तक हम अपना अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन तंत्र ठीक नहीं कर लेते, नदियों को प्रदूषण मुक्त नहीं किया जा सकता। भारत कई सालों से इसी कोशिश में लगा है कि हमारी नदियां प्रदूषित नहीं हों, लेेकिन सफलता नहीं मिल रही। जरूरी है कि शहरों का सीवेज प्रबंधन समुचित हो और उद्योग प्रदूषण न फैलाएं। जलवायु संकट के इस दौर में हमें यह चुनौती पहचाननी ही होगी। वर्षा की अनियमितता के कारण पानी की कमी बढ़ती जाएगी। हमें इस तनाव का प्रबंधन करना ही होगा। जलाशयों में वर्षा जल का संचय तो करना ही होगा, यह भी सुनिश्चित करना होगा कि जल की एक बूंद भी प्रदूषित न हो। राष्ट्रीय स्वच्छ गंगा मिशन के तहत पाया गया कि नदियों में प्रदूषण से जंग तब तक नहीं जीती जा सकती, जब तक कि प्रत्येक भारतीय के पास शौचालय न हो, मानव मल-मूत्र विसर्जन से जुड़ा तंत्र न हो, ताकि यह प्रदूषण और खराब स्वास्थ्य का स्रोत न बने। असल एजेंडा केवल शौचालय बनाना नहीं, बल्कि ऐसा स्वच्छता तंत्र बनाना है, जो सभी के लिए उपलब्ध हो। विकास स्थाई रूप से हो, इसके लिए जरूरी है यह सबके लिए कम खर्च में उपलब्ध और समावेशी हो। हमारी असल चुनौती यही है, जो हमें अलग व प्रभावी ढंग से काम करने का अवसर देती है। अभी तक शहरी स्वच्छता थोड़ी महंगी रही है, लेकिन अलग-अलग शहरों में मल-मूत्र अपशिष्ट की स्थिति भयावह है। इसका सही निस्तारण नहीं हो रहा। इसकी एक वजह यह है कि हम अक्सर शौचालय को स्वच्छता से जोड़ देते हैं। दरअसल, शौचालय से ही मल-मूत्र को पाइप से जुड़े नाले से बाहर कर दिया जाता है लेकिन यह पाइप सीवेज ट्रीटमेंट प्लांट(एसटीपी) से जुड़ा होना जरूरी है, जो हो सकता है नहीं भी जुड़ा हो। यानी घरेलू अपशिष्ट का सुरक्षित निस्तारण नहीं हो पाता। यह अक्सर बिना किसी शोधन प्रक्रिया के पास की नदी में छोड़ दिया जाता है। यह मैला पानी ही बढ़ते प्रदूषण का कारण है। इस कारण बीमारियां भी बढ़ती हैं। बजाय महंगे भूमिगत सीवर नेटवर्क बनने का इंतजार करने के एक और रास्ता है, जिसे मल-मूत्र के निस्तारण का विकल्प माना जा सकता है। आज भारत के बहुत से मकान सैप्टिक टैंक से जुड़े हैं। अगर इन सेप्टिक टैंकों का निर्माण अच्छी तरह करवाया गया है, तो यह कीचड़ जमा कर पानी को एक गड्ढे में छोड़ देता है। जमा मल को आगे निस्तारण के लिए भेजा जा सकता है। यह व्यवस्था तभी कारगर है जबकि सेप्टिक टैंक खास तौर पर इसी के अनुरूप तैयार किया गया हो। सही तरह से निस्तारित मल को ट्रीटमेंट पॉइंट पर ले जाया जाता है, ताकि इसे पुन: इस्तेमाल के लिए सुरक्षित बनाया जा सके। मानव मल-मूत्र का रूपान्तरण कर इसे उर्वरक की तरह उपयोग कर नाइट्रोजन साइकल में बदल सकते हैं। यह ऑर्गेनिक खाद के तौर पर खेतों में काम में लिया जा सकता है या इसे ट्रीट करने के बाद अन्य ऑर्गेनिक अपशिष्ट जैसे रसोई से निकलने वाले कचरे के साथ मिलाकर बायोगैस या ईंधन बनाने के काम में लिया जा सकता है। हम प्राचीन रोम और टोक्यो के उदाहरण से सीख सकते हैं। रोम में बड़े-बड़े जलसेतु बनाए जाते थे, जिनके जरिये निवास स्थलों तक पानी लाया जाता था। विशेषज्ञ रोम के इस जलापूर्ति तंत्र की सराहना करते आए हैं, लेकिन यही रोम का पर्यावरण कुप्रबंधन साबित हुआ। यही वहां की प्रमुख नदी टाइबर के प्रदूषण का कारण बना। घरों का अपशिष्ट बह कर नदी में मिलने के कारण अब लोगों को दूर से चल कर पानी लाना पड़ता था। इसके विपरीत जापान के पारम्परिक समाज ने अपने मल-मूत्र को नदियों में नहीं बहने दिया। इसके लिए उन्होंने इसे खाद में बदला और खेतों में उपयोग किया। जल एवं सभ्यता साथ-साथ चलते हैं। इसलिए पानी की कमी का कारण मात्र वर्षा कम होना ही नहीं है। जल संरक्षण और उसके भंडार को साझा करने में समाज की विफलता भी एक कारण है। कुल मिलाकर, कहा जा सकता है कि हम तब तक अपनी नदियों का स्थाई प्रबंधन नहीं कर सकते, जब तक कि अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन को ठीक नहीं कर लेते। शुद्ध जल की उपलब्धता न केवल जल के विवेकपूर्ण प्रबंधन पर, बल्कि अपशिष्ट के समुचित प्रबंधन पर भी निर्भर है।

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Heat wave in India leaves millions struggling to cope

India's weather department has issued a severe heatwave warning as temperatures soar, throwing millions of lives and livelihoods out of gear. "Temperatures are rising rapidly in the country, and rising much earlier than usual," Prime Minister Narendra Modi told state chief ministers on Wednesday. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by 2- 4C over most parts of north-western and central India this week, with "no large change thereafter". While heatwaves are common in India, especially in May and June, summer began early this year with high temperatures from March itself - average maximum temperatures in the month were the highest in 122 years. Heatwaves also began setting in during the month. The Centre for Science and Environment, a think-tank, said that early heatwaves this year have affected around 15 states, including the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, known for its pleasant temperatures. This week, the mercury in the capital, Delhi, is expected to cross 44C. Naresh Kumar, a senior scientist at IMD, attributed the current heatwave to local atmospheric factors. The major one was weak western disturbances - storms originating in the Mediterranean region - which meant little pre-monsoon rainfall in north-western and central India. Anticyclones - an area of high atmospheric pressure where the air sinks - also led to hot, dry weather over parts of western India in March. The effects are visible. Farmers say the unexpected temperature spikes have affected their wheat harvest, a development that could potentially have global consequences given supply disruptions due to the Ukraine war. The heat has also triggered an increase in power demand, leading to outages in many states and fears of a coal shortage. Modi also flagged the increased risk of fires due to rising temperatures. Summers have always been gruelling in many parts of India - especially in the northern and central regions. Even before air-conditioners and water coolers started selling in the millions, people devised their own ways of coping with the heat - from keeping water cool in earthen jugs to rubbing raw mangoes on their bodies to ward off heat strokes. But many experts say India is now recording more intense, frequent heatwaves that are also longer in duration. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, agreeed that several atmospheric factors have led to the current heatwave. But adding to all that, he said, is global warming. "That's the root cause for the increase in heatwaves," he said, adding that more research is needed to link climate change to other, less extreme weather fluctuations. D Sivananda Pai, director of the Institute for Climate Change Studies, pointed to other challenges too, apart from climate change - such as increasing population and the resultant strain on resources. This, in turn, lead to factors that worsen the situation, such as deforestation and increasing use of transport. "When you have more concrete roads and buildings, heat is trapped inside without being able to rise to the surface. This warms the air further," Pai said. And the cost of such extreme weather events is disproportionately borne by the poor. "Poor people have fewer resources to cool down as well as fewer options to stay inside, away from the heat," said Dr Chandni Singh, senior researcher at Indian Institute for Human Settlements and a lead author at Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). While more attention is paid to mortality due to heatwaves, Singh said policymakers should also focus on how extreme weather affects the quality of people's lives. "Heatwaves can have serious health consequences. If temperatures are high even at night, the body doesn't get a chance to recuperate, increasing the possibility of illnesses and higher medical bills," she said. A "long-term vision", Koll said, is essential when planning for the future. "There are places in India where the temperature itself may not be that high, but when combined with high humidity, life can be very difficult," he said, referring to the need to take into account the wet-bulb temperature - a scientific measure of when heat and humidity combine. He also emphasised on paying attention to areas away from the spotlight. "Many children in rural areas attend schools in sheds with tin roofs, which would be unbearable in the heat," he said. Since 2015, both the federal and state governments have issued a number of measures to mitigate the effects of heatwaves, such as banning working outside during the hottest hours and issuing timely advisories. But these can only be completely effective if accompanied by big-picture changes such as an overhaul of labour laws and greening cities, Singh said. "Our buildings are made in such a way that they trap heat instead of ensuring ventilation. There is so much innovation internationally that we can learn from," she said. "We are doing some things right but it's time to up our game - because we have to live with the heat."

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Scorching 48C temperatures to hit India in 122-year high amid deadly heatwave

Indians are dealing with a potentially deadly heatwave, with temperatures set to hit 48C, following on from a searing March which was the hottest in 122 years India is experiencing an unseasonably early and brutal heatwave with temperatures expected to hit 48C in the next few days. It comes after the country recorded its hottest March in 122 years and rainfall levels plummeted to around a quarter of its usual levels. The northwest and central part of India has been the worst hit by the potentially deadly weather. Heatwaves have claimed the lives of more than 17,000 people in India since 1971. Temperatures are forecast to reach 48C along the border of India and Pakistan in the coming days, meteorologists warn, under a record-breaking "heat dome" for April. According to forecasters, there is little relief to come with the scorching temperatures not predicted to fall any time soon. Many residents have described horrendous conditions, including taps running dry, regular power cuts because of huge demand on air conditioners, fires destroying land and crops dying. Vulnerable people have been told to stay inside to avoid exposure. "Temperatures are rising rapidly in the country, and rising much earlier than usual," Prime Minister Narendra Modi told state chief ministers on Wednesday. Heatwaves are common in India, but normally start in May and June. With the unusually high temperatures in March and April, it is feared the summer months could be much worse than usual. Experts say heatwaves in the country have become more intense, longer and more frequent in recent years. Jacobabab in Pakistan is predicted to reach 50C by the end of the week, which would be 11C hotter than the April average. India’s capital, New Delhi, could reach 44C, around 6C hotter than normal for the time of year. The Centre for Science and Environment, a think-tank, has said that this year's early heatwaves have affected around 15 states, among them the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, which is known for its cooler temperatures. The effect on agriculture - including failing wheat crops - could have worrying consequences on global food supplies, which have already been hit by the war in Ukraine. According to a BBC report, Naresh Kumar, a senior scientist at IMD, attributes the current heatwave to local atmospheric factors. He said the major one was weak western disturbances - storms originating in the Mediterranean region - which meant little pre-monsoon rainfall in north-western and central India.

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India has seen months of extreme heat and this week it will only get hotter

Life-threatening heat waves arrived in India a month earlier than normal, shattering temperature records, with highs reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) -- and it will only get hotter. The worst of the heat wave is expected late this week into this weekend with high temperatures approaching 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit (5-8 degrees Celsius) above normal across northern and northwestern India as well as parts of Pakistan. Over one billion people will be subjected to excessive heat -- 10% of the world's population, according to Scott Duncan, an extreme climate expert. This region, including New Delhi, could endure temperatures in the mid to upper 40s Celsius -- which means temperatures over 110 and up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit are possible. And, unfortunately, this heat wont sleep. Little to no relief will come during the overnight hours as minimum temperatures will not dip below 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 Celsius) in many areas. Prolonged periods of warm nights can prove deadly as they limit the body's ability to recover from daytime heat. This presents a major problem for India's population as a large portion lives without air conditioning, creating a life-threatening situation, particularly for the elderly. A man carries a fan during a heat wave in Kolkata, India. Barmer, a city in India, already recorded a high temperature of 45.1 degrees Celsius -- a whopping 113 degrees Fahrenheit -- on Tuesday. On the same day, a station in Pakistan tied the record for the highest maximum temperature in the Northern Hemisphere at 116.6 degrees Fahrenheit (47 Celsius), according to Maximiliano Herrera, an expert on climate extremes. Extremely sweltering March breaks 122-year-old temperature record Leading up to the current extreme swell, temperatures were steadily above average for March and April. The average maximum temperature for India as a whole recorded in March 2022 was the highest recorded in the past 122 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This year's March high-temperature average was 91.58 degrees Fahrenheit (33.10 Celsius), just barely edging out the previous record from 2010 of 91.56 degrees Fahrenheit (33.09 Celsius). Since March 11, heat waves have affected 15 of the Indian states and Union territories, according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), adding that "Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have suffered the most among the states, with 25 heat waves and severe heat wave days each during this period." The pressure pattern associated with La Niña conditions, which are currently presiding over the Pacific, has persisted longer than expected. This, along with warm waves coming from the Arctic, has caused heat waves to form, according to Raghu Murtugudde, a climate scientist at the University of Maryland. The current impact of La Niña on the spring and summer seasons in India is completely unexpected, Murtugudde added. April and May, known as pre-monsoon season, are typically the hottest months of the year when the region bakes endlessly. This heat would continue to build into the summer months were it not for the cloud cover and rain provided by the monsoon season. The relief, though welcome, comes slowly. The Monsoon season, which brings India much-needed precipitation and cooler temperatures, generally starts in early June over the southern part of the country. However, it takes upward of an entire month to bring relief to places in northern India, which are currently seeing the worst of the heat wave. On the bright side, the models show that the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 99% of what it normally is, according to the IMD. Monsoons are vital to the region because they provide much of the annual rainfall for India, aid irrigation for agriculture, and provide relief from the intense heat waves during the pre-monsoon season. India's heat waves will only get worse As with many other extreme weather events, heat waves will become increasingly more severe as a result of climate change. "The future of heat waves is looking worse even with significant mitigation of climate change, and much worse without mitigation," said Elfatih Eltahir, a professor of hydrology and climate at MIT. India is among the countries expected to be worst affected by the impacts of the climate crisis, according to the UN's climate change authority, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Changes in India's monsoon rainfall could bring serious consequences to more than a billion people Changes in India's monsoon rainfall could bring serious consequences to more than a billion people The latest state of the science report from the IPCC in August 2021, noted with "high confidence" that hot extremes have increased in South Asia, and that those climbing extreme temperatures are attributable to human-caused climate change. "More intense heat waves of longer durations and occurring at a higher frequency are projected over India," it stated. Without any change, a possible humanitarian crisis could be underway across India as large parts of the country could potentially become too hot to be

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India’s early heatwave sign of climate change, could be more dangerous to health, say experts

Intense heatwaves like the ones in March and April are unusual but they could become more frequent due to climate change unless net emissions are reduced, experts say. The current heatwave gripping the country — which is likely to continue unabated for the next four to five days — could prove to be more dangerous to health because of how early it has struck, experts say. Further, the early heatwave in India could also be a sign of climate change. On Wednesday, temperatures crossed 44 degrees Celsius in many parts of Rajasthan and a ‘yellow alert’ was issued for Delhi, which is expected to see the mercury reach the 44- to 46-degree mark Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also said the heatwave would continue to sweep through Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Gujarat. This, just after the country experienced the hottest March in over a century. Heatwaves this intense in March and April are unusual, meteorological experts say, but that could change. Early and severe heatwaves could occur as frequently as once every four years due to climate change, according to an analysis (still under data review) by Mariam Zachariah and Friederike Otto of the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London. VDO.AI ‘Heatwave has been made hotter by climate change’ Linking the ongoing heatwave with the effects of climate change, the Grantham Institute scientists say that hot spells of the kind India is seeing today are likely to become more common. “Before human activities increased global temperatures, we would have seen the heat that hit India earlier this month around once in 50 years. But now it is a much more common event — we can expect such high temperatures about once in every four years. And until net emissions are halted, it will continue to become even more common,” Zachariah said in a statement. Otto, who leads the World Weather Attribution group, added: “India’s current heatwave has been made hotter by climate change that is the result of human activities like burning coal and other fossil fuels.” According to Otto, this is a universal issue. “Until net greenhouse gas emissions end, heatwaves in India and elsewhere will continue to become hotter and more dangerous,” she said. IMD data shows that the number of heatwave days in India has increased from 413 in the decade 1981-1990, to 575 between 2001 and 2010, and 600 in 2010-20. An analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment shows Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have experienced the greatest number of heatwave days from 11 March to 24 April — at 25 each. Himachal Pradesh recorded 21 and Gujarat recorded 19, while Delhi recorded 15. Why are early heatwaves dangerous? Studies from the aftermath of a severe 2003 heatwave in Europe found that early heatwaves were deadlier because of a lack of state preparedness, and resulted in “marked short-term increases in mortality. “The same logic applies to India too. Heatwaves of this intensity are not normally known to hit so early, in the month of March. As it is, states don’t have an effective mechanism to monitor heat-related illnesses, and when it happens so suddenly, they are left with less time to adapt,” Dr Dileep Mavalankar, Director, Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG), told ThePrint. The Indian government is working with 23 heatwave-prone states and 130 cities to develop Heat Action Plans (HAPs), after Ahmedabad’s success in reducing heat-related mortality in 2013. However, the initial findings of a study funded by the National Disaster Management Authority evaluating HAPs across India found that a lack of “focussed, hot-spot based interventions” marred their implementation. The study is likely to come out later this year, a media fact sheet prepared by the Natural Resources Defense Council earlier this month revealed. “Our heat action plans must ensure adaptation measures like public cooling areas, ensuring uninterrupted electricity, access to safe drinking water, and changing the work hours of labourers [particularly the] most vulnerable ones at the bottom of the pyramid, especially during extreme heat days,” Dr Abhiyant Tiwari, Assistant Professor & Programme Manager, Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management, said in a statement.

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Feel The Heat! Brutal Heatwave In India Leaves Millions Struggling To Cope https://thelogicalindian.com/environment/heatwave-in-india-high-temperature-35244

This year, summer began early with high temperatures from March itself - the average maximum temperatures for the month being the highest in the past 122 years. he India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a heatwave warning for numerous states in India so early, increasing concerns among public health experts. The country has already recorded its hottest March and is now setting high temperatures in some parts of northern India that are expected to touch 46 degrees celsius. The increasing temperature in the National Capital is also set to move around 44-45 degrees celsius, quickly approaching the record temperature for the month of April. Heatwaves Drive Indians Crazy Heatwaves are relatively common in India during summers, especially during the months of May and June. This year, summer began early with high temperatures from March itself - the average maximum temperatures for the month being the highest in the past 122 years. Heatwaves also kickstarted setting in during the month as well, reported news outlet BBC. The Centre for Science and Environment, a think tank, claimed that the early heatwaves had affected approximately 15 states this year, which also includes the northern state of Himachal Pradesh. This current week has seen the mercury levels in Delhi go up drastically and is expected to cross 44 degrees celsius. Burning Times! Senior IMD scientist, Naresh Kumar, has attributed this ongoing heatwave in parts of India to the local atmospheric factors. The main one was weak western disturbances, storms that originated in the Mediterranean region and resulted in shorter pre-monsoon rainfall in central and north-western India. Furthermore, another factor for the mercury spike in the country is reportedly due to Anticyclones, a part of the high atmospheric pressure where the air sinks - which also led to hot, dry weather over parts of western India in March.

• Down To Earth

India has seen months of extreme heat and this week it will only get hotter

Life-threatening heat waves arrived in India a month earlier than normal, shattering temperature records, with highs reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) -- and it will only get hotter. The worst of the heat wave is expected late this week into this weekend with high temperatures approaching 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit (5-8 degrees Celsius) above normal across northern and northwestern India as well as parts of Pakistan. Over one billion people will be subjected to excessive heat -- 10% of the world's population, according to Scott Duncan, an extreme climate expert. This region, including New Delhi, could endure temperatures in the mid to upper 40s Celsius -- which means temperatures over 110 and up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit are possible. And, unfortunately, this heat wont sleep. Extreme nighttime temperatures can be deadly Little to no relief will come during the overnight hours as minimum temperatures will not dip below 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 Celsius) in many areas. Prolonged periods of warm nights can prove deadly as they limit the body's ability to recover from daytime heat. This presents a major problem for India's population as a large portion lives without air conditioning, creating a life-threatening situation, particularly for the elderly. Barmer, a city in India, already recorded a high temperature of 45.1 degrees Celsius -- a whopping 113 degrees Fahrenheit -- on Tuesday. On the same day, a station in Pakistan tied the record for the highest maximum temperature in the Northern Hemisphere at 116.6 degrees Fahrenheit (47 Celsius), according to Maximiliano Herrera, an expert on climate extremes. Extremely sweltering March breaks 122-year-old temperature record Leading up to the current extreme swell, temperatures were steadily above average for March and April. The average maximum temperature for India as a whole recorded in March 2022 was the highest recorded in the past 122 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This year's March high-temperature average was 91.58 degrees Fahrenheit (33.10 Celsius), just barely edging out the previous record from 2010 of 91.56 degrees Fahrenheit (33.09 Celsius). Since March 11, heat waves have affected 15 of the Indian states and Union territories, according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), adding that "Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have suffered the most among the states, with 25 heat waves and severe heat wave days each during this period." The pressure pattern associated with La Niña conditions, which are currently presiding over the Pacific, has persisted longer than expected. This, along with warm waves coming from the Arctic, has caused heat waves to form, according to Raghu Murtugudde, a climate scientist at the University of Maryland. The current impact of La Niña on the spring and summer seasons in India is completely unexpected, Murtugudde added. April and May, known as pre-monsoon season, are typically the hottest months of the year when the region bakes endlessly. This heat would continue to build into the summer months were it not for the cloud cover and rain provided by the monsoon season. The relief, though welcome, comes slowly. The Monsoon season, which brings India much-needed precipitation and cooler temperatures, generally starts in early June over the southern part of the country. However, it takes upward of an entire month to bring relief to places in northern India, which are currently seeing the worst of the heat wave. On the bright side, the models show that the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 99% of what it normally is, according to the IMD. Monsoons are vital to the region because they provide much of the annual rainfall for India, aid irrigation for agriculture, and provide relief from the intense heat waves during the pre-monsoon season. India's heat waves will only get worse As with many other extreme weather events, heat waves will become increasingly more severe as a result of climate change. "The future of heat waves is looking worse even with significant mitigation of climate change, and much worse without mitigation," said Elfatih Eltahir, a professor of hydrology and climate at MIT. India is among the countries expected to be worst affected by the impacts of the climate crisis, according to the UN's climate change authority, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The latest state of the science report from the IPCC in August 2021, noted with "high confidence" that hot extremes have increased in South Asia, and that those climbing extreme temperatures are attributable to human-caused climate change. "More intense heat waves of longer durations and occurring at a higher frequency are projected over India," it stated. Without any change, a possible humanitarian crisis could be underway across India as large parts of the country could potentially become too hot to be habitable.

• Down To Earth

Climate Change Knocks At The Door of Jammu and Kashmir

Climate Change is real and knocking at the door of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as now government too has officially acknowledged that even electricity outage is due to changes in weather patterns during the month of March, 2022. Significantly, Jammu and Kashmir is among the five top states/UT of India which is witnessing heat waves and the situation in these regions is worsening with every passing day. The early heat waves of 2022 that began on March 11 have impacted 15 Indian states and Union territories as of April 24, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This data was analyzed by Down To Earth. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, March 2022 was the hottest March in India's 122 year old recorded weather history. Similarly, April is turning out to be the hottest April in the last 50 years. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have suffered the most among the states, with 25 heatwave and severe heatwave days each during this period. Himachal Pradesh recorded 21 heatwaves, Gujarat 19, and Jammu and Kashmir 16. According to data shared by the Centre for Science and Environment after Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh has been the most affected by heatwaves this year - with 21 heatwave and severe heatwave days. One anomalous point in the IMD's data is that the weather agency has officially declared only one heatwave day for Odisha, even though temperatures higher than 40 degrees Celsius was recorded across the state on April 24. A heatwave happens when the temperature of a place crosses 40-degree Celsius in the plains, 37-degree Celsius in coastal areas, and 30-degree Celsius in the hills. The weather agency declares a heatwave when a place registers a temperature that is 4.5 to 6.4-degree Celsius more than the normal temperature for the region on that day. If the temperature is over 6.4-degree Celsius more than normal, the IMD declares a 'severe' heatwave. According to CSE, the unlikely impact of the current heatwaves would occur in the Himalayan regions of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand which are not used to heatwaves and are not well adapted to the extreme temperatures. "One major impact in these regions would be on the accelerated melting of glaciers due to extreme temperatures which are the main source of water for the people living there", the report said. As J&K is witnessing an unprecedented increase in temperature during the last two years, environmentalists have blamed changing climate for the same. In the first week of April this year, the temperature of Srinagar and Jammu was also the same. "It is a matter of concern as the temperature is increasing in the areas which usually witness pleasant weather in April," said Dr Vivak M. Arya, a scientist working in the field of climate change and natural resource management at Agriculture University, Jammu. He said that the heatwave is largely due to human-induced activities. "Events of the heatwave are going to increase in the coming years," Dr Arya said, adding, "Climate change has a part to play in making this heatwave hotter and more likely the spell in coming years will increase." According to CSE report agricultural yields were badly impacted due to the heatwave. "The wheat crop in the current rabi season in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh has been impacted by heatwaves. Many farmers have reported losses between 20 and 60 percent in these states", the report said. This happened because the heat waves were early this year and the temperatures affected the wheat plants during their growth stage, leading to shriveled grains which fetch lower prices in the market, resulting in losses. "To reduce agricultural losses due to heatwaves, heat-tolerant varieties of wheat need to be developed. Similarly, heat-resistant varieties of other rabi crops also need to be developed", the report said. Meanwhile, scientists have identified 100 pressing research questions on climate change and water resources in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB), which they say must be answered to protect the communities living in the region. The UIB is located in the mountainous Hindu-Kush Karakoram Himalaya (HKH) region, of which Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is a part, and which feeds the river systems that supply the world’s largest network of irrigated agriculture. Hundreds of millions of people across Pakistan, India, China, and Afghanistan depend on these water resources and so adapting to climate change is essential, the researchers, including those from the University of Kashmir in Srinagar, noted. The study, published in the journal Earth’s Future, employed a ‘horizon scanning’ technique to identify 100 essential questions required for successful adaptation to ongoing and future climate change in the UIB. The aim of the study is to identify knowledge gaps and opportunities in social and natural sciences to help inform climate plans, water management, and development policy, the researchers said. The Top 100 research questions identified in the study would inform policymaking for developing strategies and action plans to combat climate change and hydrological extremes in UIB, of which Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is a part,” said Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, who participated in the study. “The study demonstrates a collaborative role for stakeholders within and outside the UIB to develop climate change adaption plans, and policies which will secure and protect the UIB communities that live there,” said Romshoo, who is the Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) in Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir. The authors noted that one of the main priorities of the study was to emphasise the importance of identifying knowledge gaps in both the natural and social sciences, as research efforts to identify the impacts of climate change on the latter have for a long time often been neglected in favour of the former. In an official statement, Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited said that early arrival of summer in rest of the country lead to highest ever power demand and reduced thermal power generation coupled with sub-optimal generation of hydro power due to reduced discharge because of less rains has resulted in deficient power availability leading to unscheduled and prolonged power cuts. While sharing details about current capacity, it said that hydro generation currently is around 50% of the installed capacity and load supplied by KPDCL is in the range of 900-1100 MWs against the peak demand of 1600MW. Senior officer of KPDCL informed that the hydro generation is expected to improve once discharge increases to optimal level in coming weeks subject to sufficient rainfall. It further added that reduced thermal generation has affected J&K UT’s power allocation /imports.

• Down To Earth

Sweltering in heat wave, India braces for higher temperatures

Over one billion people will be subjected to excessive heat Life-threatening heat waves arrived in India a month earlier than normal, shattering temperature records with highs reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) — and it will only get hotter. The worst of the heat wave is expected late this week into this weekend with high temperatures approaching 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit (5-8 degrees Celsius) above normal across northern and northwestern India as well as parts of Pakistan. Over one billion people will be subjected to excessive heat — 10% of the world’s population, according to Scott Duncan, an extreme climate expert. This region, including New Delhi, could endure temperatures in the mid to upper 40s Celsius — which means temperatures over 110 and up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit are possible. And unfortunately, this heat wont sleep. Extreme nighttime temperatures can be deadly Little to no relief will come during the overnight hours as minimum temperatures will not dip below 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 Celsius) in many areas. Prolonged periods of warm nights can prove deadly as they limit the body’s ability to recover from daytime heat. This presents a major problem for India’s population as a large portion lives without air conditioning, creating a life-threatening situation, particularly for the elderly. Bahmer, a city in India, already recorded a high temperature of 45.1 degrees Celsius — a whopping 113 degrees Fahrenheit — on Tuesday. On the same day, a station in Pakistan tied the record for the highest maximum temperature in the Northern Hemisphere at 116.6 degrees Fahrenheit (47 Celsius), according to Maximiliano Herrera, an expert on climate extremes. Extremely sweltering March breaks 122-year-old temperature record Leading up to the current extreme swell, temperatures were steadily above average for March and April. The average maximum temperature for India as a whole recorded in March 2022 was the highest recorded in the past 122 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This year’s March high-temperature average was 91.58 degrees Fahrenheit (33.10 Celsius), just barely edging out the previous record from 2010 of 91.56 degrees Fahrenheit (33.09 Celsius). Since March 11, heat waves have affected 15 of the Indian states and Union territories, according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), adding that “Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have suffered the most among the states, with 25 heat waves and severe heat wave days each during this period.” The pressure pattern associated with La Niña conditions, which are currently presiding over the Pacific, has persisted longer than expected. This, along with warm waves coming from the Arctic, has caused heat waves to form, according to Raghu Murtugudde, a climate scientist at the University of Maryland. The current impact of La Niña on the spring and summer seasons in India is completely unexpected, Murtugudde added. April and May, known as pre-monsoon season, are typically the hottest months of the year when the region bakes endlessly. This heat would continue to build into the summer months were it not for the cloud cover and rain provided by the monsoon season. The relief, though welcome, comes slowly. The Monsoon season, which brings India much-needed precipitation and cooler temperatures, generally starts in early June over the southern part of the country. However, it takes upward of an entire month to bring relief to places in northern India, which are currently seeing the worst of the heat wave. On the bright side, the models show that the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 99% of what it normally is, according to the IMD. Monsoons are vital to the region because they provide much of the annual rainfall for India, aid irrigation for agriculture, and provide relief from the intense heat waves during the pre-monsoon season. India’s heat waves will only get worse As with many other extreme weather events, heat waves will become increasingly more severe as a result of climate change. “The future of heat waves is looking worse even with significant mitigation of climate change, and much worse without mitigation,” said Elfatih Eltahir, a professor of hydrology and climate at MIT. India is among the countries expected to be worst affected by the impacts of the climate crisis, according to the UN’s climate change authority, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The latest state of the science report from the IPCC in August 2021, noted with “high confidence” that hot extremes have increased in South Asia, and that those climbing extreme temperatures are attributable to human-caused climate change. “More intense heat waves of longer durations and occurring at a higher frequency are projected over India,” it stated. Without any change, a possible humanitarian crisis could be underway across India as large parts of the country could potentially become too hot to be habitable.

• Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy

Reasons why waste dump locations in Delhi are going up in flames

Non-segregation of waste, lack of non-combustible material layers in landfills and summer heat are some of the causes for starting fires Frequent fires in landfills around cities are a glaring example of the country’s perpetual struggle to manage its refuse and stop illegal dumping of waste. The massive fire at the Bhalswa landfill in north Delhi is just one of the four such incidents reported in the national capital this month. The other three were reported at the Ghazipur landfill site in east Delhi. The Bhalswa landfill site reported 12 fire cases in 2021 and this one is the third this year. The Dadumajra landfill site on the periphery of Chandigarh was also in the news recently for going up in flames. The place has caught fire 486 times in the last 15 years. About 50,000 people live in the close vicinity of Dadumajra and they frequently complain of bad smell and polluted air after the fire. Inefficient garbage processing is at the heart of this ever-increasing problem. India generates about 62 million tonnes of waste annually, states the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change data for 2016. Of this, only about 75% of the municipal waste gets collected and only 22-28% of this waste is processed. The rest ends up in dumps. The Centre for Science and Environment in Delhi, a non-profit, found in 2020 that the country has more than 3,000 mountainous landfills containing 800m tonnes of rubbish. The country’s tallest mountain of rubbish – in Mumbai – is estimated to be 18 storeys high. An official of Chandigarh Pollution Control Board (CPCC) told Mongabay-India that the fires are very common at dumpsites especially during summer because of the methane gas trapped inside. The dumpsite, he added, is a perfect breeding ground for methane due to decomposition of biodegradable or food waste over time and it quickly catches fire when it comes into close contact with anything combustible. Potential of catching fire increases in summer because of high temperatures. The Solid Waste Management Rules issued by the Centre in 2016 state that only non-recyclable, non-biodegradable and non-combustible waste should go to a dumpsite. However, hundreds of tonnes of biodegradable and combustible waste are still dumped at the site every day. The mountains of refuse are a result of years of dumping without segregation and processing. The solution A Delhi fire brigade official suggested using construction waste to create layers of non-combustible materials so that the fire doesn’t spread. “The corporation should dump an inert layer of sand and construction waste after every layer of freshly dumped waste. Such layers act as barriers against the fire,” the official said. Segregation of waste into degradable and non-degradable categories is essential to reduce the load at landfill sites. However, years of government campaigns have yielded little result. Kailash Shishupal, an advocate of sustainable living and a conservationist, says the problem lies with the way we look at waste. “If you ever visit a landfill site do see closely what lies dumped inside. There are so many things which can be easily reused, like old clothes. And then there are many more things that can be recycled like electronic goods, thick plastic, glass, tin etc. Plastic below 50 microns is the real nuisance while leftover eatables paints a shoddy picture of the way we actually treat food, considered equivalent to Lord Brahma,” said Shishupal. Amit Sharma of Chandigarh filed a PIL on Dadumajra in high court last year. He told Mongabay-India that there are only two ways this problem can be handled. First, is to clear whatever quantity of waste is laying in the existing dumpsite, also called legacy waste. Second is to ensure that daily generation of garbage is 100% processed after segregation and it does not pile up on the site. The municipal authorities should focus on prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling. Recent incidents The first significant fire this summer was reported at Ghazjpur on March 28. The fire continued for three days, with thick fumes billowing from the burning grounds into areas of Ghazipur, Kondli, Patparganj, IP Extension, Kaushambi and Khoda in Delhi and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. Two more blazes were reported at the site on April 10 and April 20. The fire at Dadunajra dumping site in Chandigarh started on April 7, engulfing the surrounding areas in thick smog. Similar incidents were reported at the site last year and enveloped at least half of Chandigarh, hindering visibility and causing respiratory problems. Two days back, a scrapyard in Manesar, Gurugram, caught fire. It is believed that strong winds carried this fire to the nearby slums, where the situation worsened following the explosion of gas cylinders. The incident led to the death of a woman, who was burnt alive, while also injuring five adults and a child.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

एयर एक्‍सपो 2022: कला प्रदर्शनी के जरिये वायु प्रदूषण को लेकर पैदा की जाएगी जागरूकता

वायु प्रदूषण को दुनिया भर में मानव स्वास्थ्य के लिए बड़े खतरे के रूप में पहचाना गया है. भारत में दुनिया के 10 सबसे प्रदूषित शहरों में से नौ हैं. सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट की एक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, भारत में पीएम 2.5 प्रदूषण के कारण होने वाली मौतों में पिछले दो दशकों में ढाई गुना की वृद्धि हुई है. खोज स्‍टूडियो की पहल कला प्रदर्शनी- डज द ब्‍लू स्‍काई लाय ? का मकसद यह समझना है कि माहौल का जहर इंसानी शरीर और सार्वजनिक जगहों पर कैसे घुल जाता है. ब्‍लू स्‍काई लाय के पहले अंक का नाम एयर एक्‍सपो 2022 है.

• Down To Earth

भारत में महीनों से भीषण गर्मी पड़ रही है और यह सप्ताह और भी गर्म होने वाला है

इस सप्ताह के अंत तक इस सप्ताह के अंत तक सबसे खराब गर्मी की लहर की आशंका है, जिसमें तापमान उत्तर और उत्तर-पश्चिम भारत के साथ-साथ पाकिस्तान के कुछ हिस्सों में सामान्य से लगभग 10-15 ° F (5-8 ° C) अधिक है। एक अरब से अधिक लोग अत्यधिक गर्मी के संपर्क में आएंगे – दुनिया की आबादी का 10%, के अनुसार स्कॉट डंकनएक गंभीर जलवायु विशेषज्ञ। नई दिल्ली सहित यह क्षेत्र 40 डिग्री सेल्सियस के मध्य से उच्च तापमान का सामना कर सकता है – जिसका अर्थ है कि तापमान 110 से ऊपर और 120 डिग्री फ़ारेनहाइट तक संभव है। दुर्भाग्य से, यह गर्मी नहीं सोएगी। रात में अत्यधिक तापमान हो सकता है जानलेवा रात के घंटों के दौरान कम या कोई आराम नहीं होगा क्योंकि कई क्षेत्रों में न्यूनतम तापमान 86 डिग्री फ़ारेनहाइट (30 डिग्री सेल्सियस) से नीचे नहीं जाएगा। गर्म रातों की लंबी अवधि घातक हो सकती है क्योंकि वे शरीर की दिन की गर्मी से उबरने की क्षमता को सीमित कर देती हैं। यह भारत की आबादी के लिए एक बड़ी समस्या है क्योंकि उनमें से एक बड़ा हिस्सा बिना एयर कंडीशनिंग के रहता है, जो विशेष रूप से बुजुर्गों के लिए जीवन के लिए खतरनाक स्थिति पैदा करता है। भारत के एक शहर, बहमेर में मंगलवार को पहले से ही अधिकतम 45.1 डिग्री सेल्सियस – 113 डिग्री फ़ारेनहाइट – दर्ज किया गया था। उसी दिन, पाकिस्तान के एक स्टेशन ने उत्तरी गोलार्ध में उच्चतम अधिकतम तापमान 116.6 डिग्री फ़ारेनहाइट (47 डिग्री सेल्सियस) दर्ज किया। मैक्सिमिलियानो हेरेराचरम मौसम की घटनाओं में विशेषज्ञ। मार्च के तपते महीने ने तोड़ा तापमान का 122 साल का रिकॉर्ड वर्तमान गंभीर प्रस्फुटन की अगुवाई में, तापमान मार्च और अप्रैल के औसत से लगातार ऊपर था। मार्च 2022 में पूरे भारत में औसत अधिकतम तापमान दर्ज किया गया, जो पिछले 122 वर्षों में सबसे अधिक दर्ज किया गया था भारतीय मौसम विभाग (आईएमडी)। इस वर्ष मार्च के लिए औसत उच्च तापमान 91.58 डिग्री फ़ारेनहाइट (33.10 डिग्री सेल्सियस) था, जो पिछले 2010 के 91.56 डिग्री फ़ारेनहाइट (33.09 डिग्री सेल्सियस) के रिकॉर्ड को तोड़ रहा था। नई दिल्ली, भारत में गर्मी की लहर के दौरान खुद को धूप से बचाने के लिए पानी बेचने वाली एक लड़की छतरी का इस्तेमाल करती है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) के अनुसार, 11 मार्च से, गर्मी की लहरों ने 15 भारतीय राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों को प्रभावित किया है, यह कहते हुए कि “राजस्थान और मध्य प्रदेश राज्यों में सबसे अधिक प्रभावित हुए, इस दौरान 25 हीटवेव और गंभीर हीटवेव दिनों के साथ। अवधि।” । ला नीना स्थितियों से जुड़ा दबाव पैटर्न, जो वर्तमान में प्रशांत महासागर पर हावी है, अपेक्षा से अधिक समय तक चला। मैरीलैंड विश्वविद्यालय के एक जलवायु वैज्ञानिक रघु मुर्तोगोड के अनुसार, आर्कटिक से आने वाली गर्म लहरों के साथ, इसने गर्मी की लहरों का निर्माण किया है। मुर्तोगोडी ने कहा कि भारत में वसंत और गर्मियों पर ला नीना का वर्तमान प्रभाव पूरी तरह से अप्रत्याशित है। भारत के मुंबई में दोपहर की चिलचिलाती गर्मी में चलते हुए और पानी पीते हुए दो युवा लड़कियां अपना सिर ढक लेती हैं। अप्रैल और मई, जिसे प्री-मानसून सीज़न के रूप में जाना जाता है, आमतौर पर वर्ष के सबसे गर्म महीने होते हैं जब यह क्षेत्र अंतहीन रूप से पकता है। यह गर्मी गर्मियों के महीनों में बढ़ती रहेगी यदि यह मानसून के मौसम द्वारा प्रदान किए गए बादलों और बारिश के लिए नहीं होती। राहत, हालांकि स्वागत योग्य है, धीरे-धीरे आ रही है। बरसात का मौसमजो भारत में भारी बारिश और ठंडा तापमान लाता है, आमतौर पर जून की शुरुआत में देश के दक्षिणी भाग में शुरू होता है। हालांकि, उत्तर भारत के उन स्थानों पर राहत पहुंचाने में एक महीने से अधिक का समय लग रहा है, जो इस समय भीषण गर्मी का सामना कर रहे हैं। उज्ज्वल पक्ष पर, मॉडल दिखाते हैं कि आईएमडी के अनुसार, मौसमी मानसून वर्षा सामान्य रूप से 99% होने की संभावना है। मानसून इस क्षेत्र के लिए महत्वपूर्ण हैं क्योंकि वे भारत की वार्षिक वर्षा का अधिकांश भाग प्रदान करते हैं, कृषि के लिए सिंचाई में सहायता करते हैं, और प्री-मानसून मौसम के दौरान तीव्र गर्मी की लहरों से राहत प्रदान करते हैं। भारत में गर्मी की लहरें और बढ़ेंगी कई अन्य चरम मौसम की घटनाओं के साथ, परिणामस्वरूप गर्मी की लहरें और अधिक तीव्र हो जाएंगी जलवायु परिवर्तन. एमआईटी में जल विज्ञान और जलवायु के प्रोफेसर अल-फतेह अल-ताहेर ने कहा, “जलवायु परिवर्तन के महत्वपूर्ण शमन के साथ गर्मी की लहरों का भविष्य और भी खराब दिखता है।” जलवायु परिवर्तन पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र निकाय, इंटरगवर्नमेंटल पैनल ऑन क्लाइमेट चेंज (आईपीसीसी) के अनुसार, भारत जलवायु संकट के प्रभावों से सबसे अधिक प्रभावित होने वाले देशों में शामिल है। भारत में मानसूनी वर्षा में परिवर्तन के एक अरब से अधिक लोगों के लिए विनाशकारी परिणाम हो सकते हैं अंतिम आईपीसीसी से वैज्ञानिक रिपोर्ट की स्थिति अगस्त 2021 में, यह “उच्च आत्मविश्वास” के साथ नोट किया गया था कि दक्षिण एशिया में गर्म चरम सीमा बढ़ गई थी, और यह कि अत्यधिक तापमान पर चढ़ने वाले मानव-जनित जलवायु परिवर्तन के कारण थे। रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है, “भारत में लंबी अवधि के लिए अधिक तीव्र गर्मी की लहरें और उच्च आवृत्ति की उम्मीद है।” किसी भी बदलाव के बिना, पूरे भारत में एक संभावित मानवीय संकट उत्पन्न हो सकता है क्योंकि देश के बड़े हिस्से में रहने के लिए बहुत गर्म होने की संभावना है।

• Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy

Why Massive Fires Have Engulfed Landfills of India and the Challenge to Douse These Blaze | Explained

Landfill fires engulf Indian cities: The major reason behind these massive fires at landfill sites is that they are not scientifically planned or designed New Delhi: Firefighting operations are underway at two landfill sites across the nation at present — while Delhi’s Bhalswa landfill site continues to burn even after 36 hours, a thick blanket of smoke engulfed Chennai’s Perungudi dump yard from Wednesday. With plumes of thick smoke billowing out of the garbage sites, people residing nearby areas have complained of difficulty in breathing, itchy eyes, and poor visibility in the surrounding locality. The Bhalswa landfill fire is the second major fire incident at a dump yard that has taken place in the past 30 days. Earlier last week, a fire broke out at the dumping yard at Ghazipur in east Delhi, less than a month after a blaze was reported from the same spot on March 28. The March 28 fire at the Ghazipur landfill site continued to blaze for over 48 hours polluting the atmosphere to its core. Bhalswa landfill fire The massive fire that broke out at the Bhalswa landfill began on Tuesday (April 26) evening. Several videos showed the blaze churning out dense plumes of smoke and turning the sky hazy grey. On Thursday (April 28) morning, even after 36 hours, firefighting operations continued as some areas of the Bhalswa landfill site were still burning. Local residents said on Wednesday the thick smoke was choking them. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. The landfill in Bhalswa in the city’s north is taller than a 17-storey building and covers an area bigger than 50 football fields. Perungudi dump yard fire The major fire broke out at Perungudi dump on Wednesday (April 27) afternoon. The fire was spotted by staff in the west of the dum around 12.30 p.m. They attempted to put out the fire but were unable to do so. At 2 p.m, they alerted the fire control room. The smoke spread to 5-km radius. As per reports, birds were seen fleeing the ecologically sensitive spot due to the toxic air. Dadumajra landfill fire On April 5, a fire also broke out at Chandigarh’s Dadumajra dumping ground. The massive fire created a suffocating cloud of smoke engulfing housing localities, causing breathing problems to residents and commuters crossing the section. As per reports, the smoke was so thick that vehicles and commuters were almost invisible and people were facing difficulty passing the road. Ghazipur landfill fire The major fire in East Delhi’s Ghazipur landfill broke out on March 28 and it became a challenge to be doused even after 50 hours, forcing the locals to stay indoors. While no casualty was reported in the blaze, a thick blanket of smoke engulfed the adjoining areas during that time. Approximately 2,000 tonnes of garbage is dumped at the site every day. Even last year, authorities reported four fire incidents at the Ghazipur landfill. And in 2017, a large part of it broke away, crashing onto a road and killing two people. Why landfills are catching fire so frequently these days? Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed serious concern over fire incidents at landfill sites in the national capital and other cities and said that these dumpsites are like “time bombs”. Landfills are the largest source of methane emissions and the presence of any ignitable material at the dumpsite can lead to massive fires amid high amounts of heat that remain undissipated. Methane is highly flammable and plays a large role in the ignition of landfill fires. Because of the methods normally adopted to deposit, compact, and cover waste in landfills, the decomposition of waste is largely anaerobic, which results in the production of large quantities of methane and carbon dioxide. Apart from that, surface fires at dumpsites are also caused by equipment, people smoking on-site, and waste recyclers. “Causes of equipment-related fires include debris trapped under machines, heat from equipment (exhaust pipes) and welding. Informal recyclers also set fires to reclaim metals,” said a DownToEarth report. Atin Biswas, a waste management expert and program director of the municipal solid waste sector at the Centre for Science and Environment, said, “There can be two causes for such fires. First, is the human factor; waste pickers who scavenge the waste may inadvertently start a fire. Second, and the more dominant reason, is methane generation from rotting food waste. Once the pressure of trapped methane gas crosses a threshold, a fire is ignited. That kind of fire is much harder to extinguish as normal fire tenders cannot reach the source of the fire.” Why is it a Challenge to Douse Landfill Fires? The major reason behind these massive fires at landfill sites is that they are not scientifically planned or designed. Atul Garg, the director, of the Delhi Fire Service, said, “Fires at landfills take time to be extinguished owing to several factors, including multiple ignition points, lack of constant water supply, and the danger involved in climbing steep garbage mounds.” He further explained that given the height of garbage, the water the firemen used seeped through slowly into the waste. He said the effort to make the firefighters climb up the mountains of garbage came with the risk of endangering their lives.

• Down To Earth

J&K among top five states witnessing heatwaves; environmentalists blame climate change [details]

Events of the heatwave are going to increase in the coming years. Climate change has a part to play in making this heatwave hotter and more likely the spell in coming years will increase. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is among the five top states of India which is witnessing heatwaves and the situation in these regions is worsening with every passing day. The early heat waves of 2022 that began on March 11 have impacted 15 Indian states and Union territories as of April 24, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This data was analyzed by Down To Earth. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have suffered the most among the states, with 25 heatwave and severe heatwave days each during this period. Himachal Pradesh recorded 21 heatwaves, Gujarat 19, and Jammu and Kashmir 16. According to data shared by the Centre for Science and Environment after Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh has been the most affected by heatwaves this year - with 21 heatwave and severe heatwave days. One anomalous point in the IMD's data is that the weather agency has officially declared only one heatwave day for Odisha, even though temperatures higher than 40 degrees Celsius was recorded across the state on April 24. A heatwave happens when the temperature of a place crosses 40-degree Celsius in the plains, 37-degree Celsius in coastal areas, and 30-degree Celsius in the hills. The weather agency declares a heatwave when a place registers a temperature that is 4.5 to 6.4-degree Celsius more than the normal temperature for the region on that day. If the temperature is over 6.4-degree Celsius more than normal, the IMD declares a 'severe' heatwave. Impact of the heatwave in hilly areas According to CSE, the unlikely impact of the current heatwaves would occur in the Himalayan regions of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand which are not used to heatwaves and are not well adapted to the extreme temperatures. "One major impact in these regions would be on the accelerated melting of glaciers due to extreme temperatures which are the main source of water for the people living there", the report said. Arizona desert Wikimedia It is the impact of climate change As J&K is witnessing an unprecedented increase in temperature during the last two years, environmentalists have blamed changing climate for the same. In the first week of April this year, the temperature of Srinagar and Jammu was also the same. "It is a matter of concern as the temperature is increasing in the areas which usually witness pleasant weather in April," said Dr Vivak M. Arya, a scientist working in the field of climate change and natural resource management at Agriculture University, Jammu. He said that the heatwave is largely due to human-induced activities. "Events of the heatwave are going to increase in the coming years," Dr Arya said, adding, "Climate change has a part to play in making this heatwave hotter and more likely the spell in coming years will increase." India wheat crop Reuters Rabi crops impacted by heatwave According to CSE report agricultural yields were badly impacted due to the heatwave. "The wheat crop in the current rabi season in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh has been impacted by heatwaves. Many farmers have reported losses between 20 and 60 percent in these states", the report said. This happened because the heat waves were early this year and the temperatures affected the wheat plants during their growth stage, leading to shriveled grains which fetch lower prices in the market, resulting in losses. "To reduce agricultural losses due to heatwaves, heat-tolerant varieties of wheat need to be developed. Similarly, heat-resistant varieties of other rabi crops also need to be developed", the report said.

• Down To Earth

भारत में खतरनाक होती जा रही है हीट वेव, कब सोचेंगे हम

हीट वेव्स स्वास्थ्य, कृषि और पानी की उपलब्धता पर प्रभाव डालती हैं. इनका एक दूसरे पर गहरा प्रभाव होता है. मौसम हमें सीधे तौर पर कड़ी चेतावनी दे रहा है कि ‘सुधरो’! इस साल गर्म हवाओं के जो आंकड़े सामने अब तक आए हैं वह हमसे बुनियादी परिवर्तन की अपेक्षा रख रहे हैं. यदि जलवायु परिवर्तन के इस विषय पर गंभीरता से कुछ सोचा न गया तो जिस ‘विकास’ के लिए सब कुछ किया जा रहा है वह बेमानी हो जाएगा. मौसम हमें सीधे तौर पर कड़ी चेतावनी दे रहा है कि ‘सुधरो’! इस साल गर्म हवाओं के जो आंकड़े सामने अब तक आए हैं वह हमसे बुनियादी परिवर्तन की अपेक्षा रख रहे हैं. यदि जलवायु परिवर्तन के इस विषय पर गंभीरता से कुछ सोचा न गया तो जिस ‘विकास’ के लिए सब कुछ किया जा रहा है वह बेमानी हो जाएगा. भारत मौसम विज्ञान विभाग (आईएमडी) के आंकड़ों का हाल ही में पर्यावरण पत्रिका ‘डाउन टू अर्थ’ ने विश्लेषण किया है. यथा, इस साल 11 मार्च से ही लू शुरू हो गई. इसने 24 अप्रैल तक 15 राज्यों को प्रभावित किया है. सबसे बुरा असर राजस्थान और मध्यप्रदेश में हुआ है. यहाँ 25 दिन (भीषण गर्मी की लहर के रहे. राजस्थान में रेगिस्तान होने के कारण आंकड़े एकदम नहीं चौंकाते हैं, लेकिन मप्र जहां कि सबसे अधिक वनाच्छादित क्षेत्र होने और पिछले कुछ सालों में उसका दायरा बढ़ने के दावे किए जाते हैं, वहां पर यह चौंका देने वाला ट्रेंड दिखा. यही नहीं, हिमाचल प्रदेश जैसा पर्वतीय राज्य इस वर्ष हीट वेव से सबसे अधिक प्रभावित होना हमें और आश्चर्य में डाल देता है. गर्मी में पहाड़ों से राहत की उम्मीद रखने वाले लोगों को बता दें कि हिमाचल प्रदेश में भी 24 अप्रैल तक हीट वेव के 21 दिन दर्ज किए जा चुके हैं. कब होता है हीट वेव आईएमडी के मुताबिक हीट वेव तब होता है, जब किसी जगह का तापमान मैदानी इलाकों में 40 डिग्री सेल्सियस, तटीय क्षेत्रों में 37 डिग्री सेल्सियस और पहाड़ी क्षेत्रों में 30 डिग्री सेल्सियस को पार कर जाता है. जब किसी जगह पर किसी ख़ास दिन उस क्षेत्र के सामान्य तापमान से 4.5 से 6.4 डिग्री सेल्सियस अधिक तापमान दर्ज किया जाता है तो मौसम एजेंसी हीट वेव की घोषणा करती है. यदि तापमान सामान्य से 6.4 डिग्री सेल्सियस ज्यादा है तो आईएमडी इसे ‘गंभीर’ हीट वेव घोषित करता है. आईएमडी हीट वेव घोषित करने के लिए एक अन्य मानदंड का भी उपयोग करता है, जो पूर्ण रूप से दर्ज तापमान पर आधारित होता है. यदि तापमान 45 डिग्री सेल्सियस को पार कर जाता है, तो विभाग हीट वेव घोषित करता है. जब यह 47 डिग्री को पार करता है, तो ‘गंभीर’ हीट वेव करार दे दिया जाता है. मौतें कम लेकिन, शारीरिक मानसिक स्वास्थ्य प्रभावित हीट वेव्स स्वास्थ्य, कृषि और पानी की उपलब्धता पर प्रभाव डालती हैं. इनका एक दूसरे पर गहरा प्रभाव होता है. रिपोर्ट में बताया गया है कि भले ही भारत में हीट वेव्स के कारण होने वाली मौतों की संख्या में पिछले कुछ वर्षों में कमी आई है, लेकिन शोध से पता चलता है कि अधिक तापमान से लोगों की सामान्य शारीरिक और मानसिक स्वास्थ्य प्रभावित होता है. वहीं दूसरी ओर, कृषि उपज भी प्रभावित होती है. इस साल पंजाब, हरियाणा और उत्तर प्रदेश में मौजूदा रबी सीजन में गेहूं की फसल हीट वेव्स से प्रभावित हुई है. इन राज्यों के कई किसानों ने 20 से 60 प्रतिशत के बीच नुकसान की सूचना दी है. ऐसा इसलिए हुआ क्योंकि इस साल की शुरुआत में हीट वेव्स थीं. उच्च तापमान ने गेहूं के पौधों को उनके विकास के चरण के दौरान प्रभावित किया, जिससे अनाज का दाना सिकुड़ गया. इससे बाजार में कम कीमत मिली और किसानों को नुकसान हुआ. हीट वेव्स के कारण कृषि नुकसान को कम करने के लिए, गेहूं की ऐसी किस्में विकसित करने की आवश्यकता है, जो अधिक गर्मी सह सके. इसी तरह, अन्य रबी फसलों की किस्मों को भी विकसित करने की आवश्यकता है, जो ज्यादा गर्मी झेल सके. प्रत्यक्ष गर्मी के अलावा, कृषि उपज सूखे या सूखे जैसी स्थितियों से भी प्रभावित हो सकती है जो अक्सर हीट वेव्स से जुड़ी होती हैं. सूखे की स्थिति के दौरान, सिंचाई के लिए पानी की अनुपलब्धता के कारण ऐसा होता है. चार डिग्री बढ़ जाएगा वैश्विक तापमान मौजूदा हीट वेव्स का संभावित प्रभाव हिमाचल प्रदेश, जम्मू और उत्तराखंड जैसे हिमालयी क्षेत्रों में होगा, जो गर्म लहरों को झेलने के अभ्यस्त नहीं हैं. अधिक तापमान के कारण इन क्षेत्रों में ग्लेशियर भी पिघलेंगे, जो वहां रहने वाले लोगों के लिए पानी का मुख्य स्रोत हैं. आईपीसीसी की रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि हर अतिरिक्त 0.5 डिग्री सेल्सियस अत्यधिक वर्षा और सूखे के साथ-साथ गर्म मौसम को बढ़ाएगी. यदि कार्बन उत्सर्जन अधिक रहता है तो भारत में हीट वेव्स के “2036-2065 तक 25 गुना अधिक समय तक” रहने की संभावना है. यह सदी के अंत तक वैश्विक तापमान में 4 डिग्री सेल्सियस की वृद्धि करेगा, जैसा कि 28 अक्टूबर, 2021 को प्रकाशित एक इंटरनेशनल क्लाइमेट रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है. ऐसे में हमें व्यापक रूप से यह सोचना चाहिए कि हमारा पर्यावरण कैसे बचेगा, आने वाले वक्त में इस बढ़ती हीट वेव की समस्या से हम कैसे निपटेंगे? कैसे बचाएंगे हीट वेव के दुष्प्रभावों से दुनिया में कई ऐसे भी देश हैं जहां पर लू से निपटने के लिए विशेष अधिकारियों की नियुक्ति की गईं. ऐसा इसलिए करना पड़ा क्योंकि हीटवेव ने 1998 और 2017 के बीच 166,000 से अधिक लोगों की जान ले ली, यह आंकड़ा विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठन का है. हमारे यहां अब तक ऐसी कोई व्यवस्था नहीं बन पाई है. यह एक किस्म का नया आपातकाल, जिसके कारण दुनिया के कई शहर हीट ऑफिसर नियुक्त कर रहे हैं, दुनिया भर में सामने आने वाली गर्मी की भयावहता को बताता है. दीर्घकालीन रूप से पर्यावरण में सुधार की जरूरत तो होगी ही, लेकिन इससे बचने के लिए फौरी उपाय भी जरूरी हैं. जरूरी यह है कि सूचना तंत्र का उपयोग करते हुए समुदाय में ऐसी सूचनाएं पहुंचाई जाएं जिनसे लोग मौसम के इस सख्त तेवर से निपटने के लिए खुद को तैयार कर सकें. यदि कहीं पर हीट वेव की घटनाएं होती भी हैं तो उनसे निपटने के लिए भी एक हेल्थ सिस्टम को तैयार करने की जरूरत है. इसके लिए जरूरी होगा कि बेहतर नियोजन किया जाए. 2013 में अहमदाबाद में सबसे पहले हीट एक्शन प्लान (एचएपी) 2013 में विकसित किया गया था. इसके तहत लोगों को मोबाइल फोन पर एसएमएस के जरिये मौसम संबंधी अलर्ट भेजा जाता था. इसके साथ ही वहां पर चिकित्सकों को हीट वेव्स से निपटने के लिए विशेष तौर पर प्रशिक्षित किया गया. 2018 में प्रकाशित एक अध्ययन के अनुसार, इस पहल ने एक वर्ष में 1,190 मौतों को टाला. ऐसे और प्रयास करने की जरूरत लगती है.

• Down To Earth

रवीश कुमार का प्राइम टाइम: गर्व का पर्व, गर्व ही गर्व और गर्म ही गर्म

भारत में पर्व की कमी नहीं है मगर गर्व की कमी थी. व्हाट्सएप यूनिवर्सिटी ने कई साल लगाकर पहले बेरोज़गारी और आर्थिक तंगी में डूबे लोगों के अतीत की हीन भावना का बोध कराया फिर उन्हें वर्तमान आर्थिक हीनता से निकालने के लिए गर्व का गेम थमा दिया. https://ndtv.in/video/show/prime-time/ravish-kumars-prime-time-the-festival-of-pride-the-pride-is-the-pride-and-the-hot-is-hot-630072