Source: BL
Subject: Environment/Geography
Context: The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has issued a severe heatwave warning for 14 mandals and heatwave conditions for 28 others across the state.
About Heatwaves:
What is a Heatwave?
- A heatwave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature, that occurs during the summer season. It is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to the human body when exposed. Qualitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal.
Key Data and Stats on Heatwaves in India
- Recent Extremes: Over 207 mandals in Andhra Pradesh recorded temperatures exceeding 41°C.
- Peak Recorded Temperature: Salur in the Manyam district recorded a maximum temperature of 45.2°C.
- Widespread Impact: Severe heat is currently impacting 14 mandals specifically in Srikakulam and Parvathipuram Manyam districts.
- Historical Trend: Disasters like heatwaves are estimated to cost India up to 2% of its GDP annually while eroding government revenue.
Factors Causing Heatwaves
- Climate Change: The world is facing more frequent and extreme weather events due to shifting global climate patterns.
- Anticyclonic Circulation: Large-scale sinking of air which compresses and heats the lower atmosphere, preventing cloud formation.
- Urban Heat Island Effect: Urbanization and the use of concrete in cities trap heat, leading to higher localized temperatures compared to rural areas.
- El Niño Modoki: Variations in ocean temperatures that can alter wind patterns and bring dry, hot air over the Indian subcontinent.
Challenges Associated with Heatwaves:
- Public Health Risks: Extreme heat and humidity increase the risk of heatstroke, dehydration, and related fatalities among vulnerable populations.
- Impact on Agriculture: Farmers are at high risk while working and are cautioned against taking unsafe shelter under trees during associated thunderstorms.
- Economic Productivity: Severe heat leads to reduced labor hours, particularly in outdoor sectors like construction and farming.
- Power Grid Strain: Surges in the use of cooling systems can lead to grid overloads and frequent power outages.
Initiatives Taken:
- Early Warning Systems: APSDMA issues real-time press releases and warnings to specific districts and mandals to prepare the public.
- Public Advisories: The government provides specific health guidance, such as consuming lemon water, buttermilk, and coconut water to maintain hydration.
- National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP): Integrating disaster resilience into infrastructure to protect assets from climate-related fiscal shocks.
- Heat Action Plans (HAPs): Implementation of state-level plans that include “cool roofs” and public cooling centers to mitigate temperature impacts.
Way Ahead:
- Urban Greening: Increasing vegetation and water bodies in cities to counteract the urban heat island effect.
- Resilient Infrastructure: Mainstreaming disaster resilience into project scale to ensure assets can withstand extreme thermal stress.
- Localized Cooling Solutions: Expanding the use of traditional hydration methods and providing widespread access to public drinking water facilities.
- Data-Driven Planning: Utilizing tools like the Resilience Cost-Benefit Analysis (RCBA) to quantify the economic benefits of early heatwave interventions.
Conclusion:
The recurring severe heatwaves in Andhra Pradesh underscore the urgent need for both immediate public health precautions and long-term structural resilience. By combining real-time disaster management with climate-resilient infrastructure, India can better protect its citizens and economy from rising temperatures. Proactive measures today are essential to securing public safety and development gains against the intensifying threat of extreme heat.
