Centre Warns States to Brace for Mercury Spikes: Is Human-Driven Climate Change the Real Culprit?

With temperatures soaring across the country and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting nearly double the number of heatwave days across Northwest India this summer, the Centre has asked states to review the preparedness of health facilities for the management of heatstroke cases and heat-related illnesses.

In a letter to states, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava stated that an increase in the exposure to heat, including extreme conditions, may occur with the onset of summer, reported HT. Srivastava emphasised that some places of the country have started experiencing high temperatures.

Delhi is already experiencing scorching heat with the temperatures hitting 40.5 degrees Celsius on March 26, making it one of the hottest cities in the country, according to IMD. The Ridge area reportedly touched 40.1 degrees Celsius, over six degrees above normal levels. March 27 showed some signs of relief, with a minimum temperature of 19.5 degrees Celsius still above average.

Meanwhile, other regions of India are also facing extreme heat. Maharashtra, facing its own heat challenges, saw Akola registering 42.0 degrees Celsius, closely followed by Brahmapuri at 41.9 degrees and Chandrapur at 41.2 degrees. Madhya Pradesh also bore the brunt, with Hoshangabad at 40.9 degrees Celsius—3.9 degrees above normal—and Shivpuri experiencing a steep 5.7 degrees Celsius increase at 40.0 degrees, reported Business Today. In Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj's temperature spiked to 41.6 degrees Celsius, while Jhansi recorded a high of 41.1 degrees. Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh touched 40.5 degrees, whereas Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon saw an alarming rise of 7.8 degrees Celsius, settling at 41.0 degrees. In southern states, Telangana's Nizamabad recorded 40.1 degrees Celsius, with Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal marking an even 40.0 degrees, according to Business Today.

Human Caused Climate Change at Play

Forecasts predict that western India, including Delhi-NCR, will face an intense heatwave between May 18-20, 2024, with unusually warm nighttime temperatures that could signify the risk of heat-related illness and death. According to Climate Central, human-caused climate change has made such extreme conditions far more likely.

“Human-caused climate change has made this intense heat much more likely. The high overnight temperatures make this event particularly alarming,” said Andrew Pershing, VP for Science at Climate Central.