2019 Indian heat wave
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The last updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (June 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) |
Between May and June 2019, India suffered a severe heat wave, with temperatures reaching up to 50.8 °C (123.44 °F) in Churu, a city located in Rajasthan.[1] The country's highest ever recorded temperature was 51 °C (123.8 °F) in 2016, only slightly higher.[2] Dozens of people died due to the heat wave.[3]
Background
The frequency and duration of heatwaves in India have increased and are predicted to continue increasing until 2064. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology has identified several factors as possible causes of this: "El Niño Modoki", which is an irregular El Niño where the central Pacific Ocean is warmer than the eastern part; and the loss of moisture in soil due to a lack of trees, which results in less evapotranspiration and more heat transfer into the atmosphere.[4][5]
Impact
Hot weather and water shortages have affected multiple states across India. As of May 31, 2019, Maharashtra has reported 8 deaths and 456 cases of illness due to heat; Telangana has reported at least 17 deaths; and Andhra Pradesh has reported 3 deaths and 433 diagnosed cases of heatstroke.[4]
On June 2, 2019, the city of Churu experienced temperatures of 50.8 °C, becoming the hottest city in the country. India's highest recorded temperature was only slightly higher at 51 °C in 2016.[2]
Responses
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heat wave warning in Rajasthan and nearby areas such as Delhi.[2] The Ministry of Health has advised avoiding the sun between noon and 3 p.m. and not drinking alcohol, tea, or coffee. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority has recommended covering the head, cross-ventilating rooms, and sleeping under a slightly wet sheet.[6]
Water has been poured onto roads in order to cool them and prevent them from melting.[7]
References
- ↑ "India reels as summer temperatures touch 50C". BBC News. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kahn, Brian (3 June 2019). "It Hit 123 Degrees Fahrenheit in India This Weekend". Earther. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ↑ Dalton, Jane (3 June 2019). "India heatwave kills 'dozens' of people as temperatures hit 50C". The Independent. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Heat Takes Heavy Toll Across India". The Weather Channel. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ↑ "Study Shows Increase in Heatwave Conditions from Next Year". The Weather Channel. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ↑ Slater, Joanna (5 June 2019). "'It is horrid': India roasts under heat wave with temperatures above 120 degrees". The Washington Post. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ↑ Dasgupta, Shounak (3 June 2019). "World's 15 hottest places are in India, Pakistan as pre-monsoon heat builds". Reuters. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
This article "2019 Indian heat wave" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:2019 Indian heat wave. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
