Are heat waves caused by climate change?
Nature has given us life and along with it the seasons also change with time. That’s why man is sometimes troubled by cold and sometimes by heat.
Right now the whole of North India is in the grip of the heat web which is directly affecting our lives and affecting human health.
Heat web outbreaks during summers over the past few years have been increasing morbidity and mortality in the country.
According to IMD, the number of heat wave days has increased from 413 (1981–1990) to 600 (2011–2020) in a decade.
The heat wave is a growing concern for disaster management in India causing wide-ranging health and environmental impacts.
The incidence of heat waves has increased continuously in the last few years. A heat wave is a condition of extremely hot weather, which usually lasts for two or more days.
When the temperature of a region exceeds the historical average, it is called a heat wave or heat wave. In the plains, whenever the temperature rises to 40 degrees or more, the effect of a heat wave starts appearing.
Meteorologists have also defined it. According to the Meteorological Department IMD, whenever the maximum temperature of the plains reaches 40 degree Celsius and the temperature of the hilly areas reaches 30 degree Celsius, the heat wave starts and it affects health badly.
The heat wave can also be high and without humidity and has the potential to cover a large area. Its scorching heat affects a large number of people.
If the temperature reaches 47°C, it is classified as a severe heat stroke. Heat waves in India mainly last from March to June. In some rare cases, it may run in July as well.
in India, the maximum heat wave mostly occurs in the month of May. Talking about the causes of heat waves, it starts when high pressure builds up in the atmosphere and then it moves the warm air towards the land.
This effect is due to heat rising from the ocean, which creates an amplification loop. The high-pressure system falling below the surface expands vertically, causing rapid changes in the activities of other weather systems as well.
It also reduces the wind and cloud cover making the air more harsh. This is the reason why a heat wave continues to flow over an area for several days or much longer. In this way, due to sudden change in the weather, severe heat wave starts and our life gets affected a lot.
Climate change plays an important role in this. When the temperature starts increasing continuously, the weather becomes very hot and then heat wave starts as a regular phenomenon over the land.
However, climate change has helped increase their duration and frequency, while making them warmer than before.
Scientists doing continuous research on climate believe that the current heat wave events are induced by climate change for which humans are responsible.
Along with this, the weather of North India is also affected by the transfer of jet streams and there is a huge increase in the heat. Effects of El Nino and La Nina
Also helpful in promoting heat waves in India.
All these reasons help in increasing the heat wave in India and after that, the whole of North India comes under the grip of intense heat. If it’s summer, it’s for everyone.
Everyone is equal in the eyes of the weather, but the heat of the weather does not affect everyone equally.
Some people have the means to get relief from the heat, but some lack it. At the same time, everyone’s health is also not the same, so the effect also varies.
Heatwave deeply affects human health. Its increase increases the problem of dehydration. Along with this, problems like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke keep affecting our lives.
This also leads to an increase in mortality and morbidity. Along with this, there is also a steady increase in the cases of diabetes and mental health conditions.
Its effect is seen not only in human health but also in other areas, such as reduction in crop productivity and reduction in horticulture.
As per the ICAR report, the average yield loss of 15-25 percent is likely to occur due to heat stress.
Apart from this, the mortality of cattle and decrease in productivity of cattle are also observed. This has shown a reduction in milk yield of up to 15 percent and a decline in egg production, as well as an increase in broiler mortality.
Avoid heat waves like this
Humans do not have control over the weather, so we cannot stop the heat wave, but we can try to protect ourselves from it.
Some guidelines have been issued by the Ministry of Environment to reduce the effects during a heatwave and to prevent heat stroke, following which heat waves can be avoided.
For this, we should pay attention that there is no shortage of water in the body. For this, a sufficient amount of fluids should be consumed.
Along with eating watery fruits and do not let the lack of electrolytes in the body. For prevention, eat seasonal fruits like watermelon, cucumber, cucumber, and lemon.
Avoid consuming soft drinks or carbonated drinks. Apart from this, do not consume too much coffee and tea.
If you ever go out of the house, special attention needs to be paid to wearing cotton clothes. Wearing tight clothes should be avoided in summer while wearing light-colored clothes is more useful in summer.
When going out in the sun, if the face and arms are all covered, it is more protected. If possible, avoid direct exposure to the sun in the afternoon.
Working out in the gym for a long time in the summer season should also be avoided. Because it leads to more evacuation of water from the body. and health deteriorates.
Nature and man
Ever since humans started playing with nature, nature has started playing with humans. Along with our rescue, we should also try to keep working to control climate change for the future so that the condition of the earth does not get worse.
