Is India getting hotter? | Explained
Are the world’s hottest cities mostly in India? How do urban heat islands work? Will the El Niño impact monsoons?
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Context
India is experiencing severe heatwaves and quasi-heatwave conditions across several cities. This situation is being exacerbated by a delayed monsoon onset and the high probability of an El Niño event during the critical June-September monsoon season, leading to significant heat-related distress.
UPSC Perspectives
Geographical
The article highlights the dual impact of a delayed monsoon and the impending El Niño phenomenon. El Niño (the abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean) typically suppresses rainfall in India, leading to droughts or deficient monsoons. The delayed onset of the extends the pre-monsoon dry and hot period, intensifying heatwaves. The defines a heatwave based on specific temperature thresholds (e.g., maximum temperature reaching at least 40°C in plains, 30°C in hilly regions, and a departure from normal of 4.5°C to 6.4°C). UPSC frequently tests the mechanics of El Niño, its counterpart La Niña, and their correlation with the in determining monsoon performance.
Environmental
The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves are clear indicators of climate change and global warming. Rising baseline temperatures mean that natural weather fluctuations now occur on top of a hotter foundation, making extreme heat events more severe. This trend aligns with the findings of the , which warns of more frequent extreme weather events in South Asia. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable due to the Urban Heat Island effect, where concrete, asphalt, and lack of vegetation trap heat, making cities significantly hotter than surrounding rural areas. For Mains, analyze how global climate trends are manifesting as localized extreme weather events in India.
Governance
The escalating heat distress necessitates robust disaster management strategies and proactive governance. Heatwaves, while not officially notified as a natural disaster under the at the national level, cause significant mortality and morbidity. Several states and cities (like the pioneering ) have developed localized Heat Action Plans (HAPs). These plans involve early warning systems, inter-agency coordination, public awareness campaigns, and capacity building for healthcare professionals to treat heat-related illnesses. UPSC often evaluates the efficacy of such localized adaptation strategies and the need to integrate heatwave management into the broader national disaster resilience framework.