Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc;
1. What is a heat wave? What is the criteria for conditions to be classified as a heat wave? Does Urban Heat Island Effect play a part in aggravating heat wave conditions? Examine. Mention ways to mitigate heat wave conditions. (250 words)
Reference: ndma.gov.in
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To mention about the criteria for heat wave and to examine the role of Urban Heat Island effect in heat wave condition.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining a heat wave.
Body:
In the first part of the body, start by mentioning the criteria for a heat wave: in temperature for plains, coastal areas and hilly areas. The criteria for a severe heat wave.
In the next part, start by defining Urban Heat Island effect. Mention the Urban Island heat effect aggravates the heat wave conditions. The result of lower vegetation levels, higher amounts of “hardscape,” heat from buildings and vehicles, and reduced air flow between tall buildings as well as other physical alternations to the natural environment), leads to temperatures in urban areas as high as 10 degree greater than neighboring rural areas. During periods of extremely high heat these differences can be life-threatening.
Mention ways to mitigate heath wave conditions in the short term and long term: Short term measures such as issuing proper guidelines and warning, green rating of buildings, structural changes in the buildings, improving the lifestyle of people etc.
Long term measures such as combating climate change, increasing vegetation and green cities, implementing the guidelines of UN-Habitat-III etc.
Conclusion:
Stress upon the need to act with utmost urgency given the increasing instances of heat waves.
