Muskan student of Saksham Sanchar Foundation shared an informative and detailed article on heat waves.
Heat wave – A condition which occurs mostly in high pressure areas where heat is trapped and can’t be ventilated . Mainly it is declared when temperature crosses a particular limit.
As per IMD – In India when temperature of plains rises above 40 degree , in hilly areas above 30 degree and in coastal areas above 37 degree than a heat wave will be declared.
Year 2022 – called as Hottest Summer Ever , hottest summer in 122 years.
Year 2023 – summer 2023 was hottest in 2,000 years.
Year 2024 – Breaks all the records, hottest January ever, hottest February ever, hottest March ever as well as hottest April ever.
- In Philippines, heat index had crossed 55 degree Celsius.
- Terrible drought in South Africa, this type of drought was last seen in 1947 there.
- In first week of May fire at many places in India.
Reasons –
1. Main reasons – Global warming and climate change.
2. Biggest reason – Earth and Sun relation.
3. 2nd biggest reason – El Nino effect and La Nino effect.
4.Urban heat island effect – mainly it states that places with more trees have relatively more comfartable temperature . Because the glasses , concrete and asphalt absorb heat.
El Nino effect – natural phenomenon which repeats after 5-7 years, but it is becoming more extreme due to climate change.
Mainly seen in Pacific ocean, wind flows from east to west direction which are called trade winds, due to coriolis effect. Due to it the hot water from American flows towards Australia and Asia , due to which there is cold water on surface of America. Due to hot water formation of clouds increases and there is more rain in Australia and Asia also a cold climate in America.
It continues for 6 to 12 months. Weaker the trade winds upwelling of water doesn’t happen and there will be rain anywhere in Pacific ocean which leads to hot and dry season in Australia and South Asia.
So mainly it changes the weather pattern of world in Australia and Asia there is hot and dry season due to it and More rain in South America .
- Like There was devasting flood in Brazil in first week of May .
La Nino effect- opposite to El Nino effect, have longer effects and last one was in 2021 – 2023.
Scientists believe that it can start in July, August and due to it India will receive better monsoon than ever.
Temperature is not only much useful measure , because as humidity increases the level of heat increase and it is more hard for our body to do sweating ,due to which it remains hot and very hard to bear it.
Heat Index – tells us the temperature which is actually feels by us.
From it we can easily understand that how much humidity effects the climate and temperature. As example: if temperature is 29 degree Celsius and humidity is 70 % than it feels like 34 degree Celsius there is so much difference.
These are small acts but have big impacts.
Some basic impacts of heat waves on life :
1.Wildfires
2.Crop damage
3.Health issues
4.Impact on GDP
5.Reduced working days : affect livelihood of poors.
6.Electricity demand increases
7.Milk production decreased : reaserch at Cornell University estimates it .
8.Impact on environment.
9.Effects air quality.
Some solutions for this problem:
1.Plant more and more trees as possible, so let’s join hands to plant more seeds.
2.Reduce using Ac : it produce too much heat.
3.Radiant cooling : a new technology, in it pipes are installed in walls and cold water flows through them and it keeps house cold.
4. Use natural things as much as possible.
5.Paint your houses with white and light colours : dark colour absorb heat and light colours reflect heat so there will be difference in temperature to 2 to 3 degree Celsius.
6.Energy conservation.
7.Heat preparedness plans : should include early warning systems, communication strategies establishment of cooling centres etc.
8.Public awareness and education about it.
9.Promote public transport .
10.Use eco-friendly things as possible.
So there are so many other measures also to conserve our mother nature and us from these heat waves and drastic climate changes.
Save Earth today to live tomorrow.
Conclusion: The main thing is that these heat waves and scorching summers are too much harmful for us and have severe harmful effect for our nature. We must do something for it because often when we are at end of something we are at the beginning of something else so let’s make our Earth cool and green again.
