Experts are sounding the alarm as India’s megacities reel under a relentless heatwaves, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in several urban centers. The scorching conditions have prompted concerns of a burgeoning public health crisis.
New Delhi, home to over 30 million people, witnessed temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by record-breaking power consumption. Tragically, reports emerged of a laborer succumbing to heatstroke in the capital city.
According to Aarti Khosla of Climate Trends, urbanization and climate change exacerbate the vulnerability of cities to extreme heat. With climate patterns shifting due to human emissions, Khosla warns of more frequent and intense heatwave, posing a grave threat to India’s well-being.
Recent research by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that Indian cities are experiencing warmer nights, providing little respite from the scorching daytime temperatures. The study emphasizes the danger posed by hot nights, prolonging stress on the body and hindering recovery from daytime heat exposure.
The impact of climate change on India’s heatwaves is undeniable, with the country experiencing longer, hotter summers. Friederike Otto, a climatologist, attributes India’s suffering to human-induced climate change, stressing the urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Despite commitments to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, India remains heavily reliant on coal for energy production. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government defends the use of fossil fuels to meet energy demands and alleviate poverty, even as the nation grapples with the dire consequences of climate change.
As India confronts the harsh realities of an escalating heatwave, the urgent call to address climate change grows louder, emphasizing the critical need for sustainable energy policies to safeguard public health and mitigate the devastating impacts of extreme weather events.