GS-1: Critical geographical features, flora, fauna (changes and effects thereof)

In News:How is Tamil Nadu bracing for heatwaves?

1.What are heat waves? Discuss the factors contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in India.

According to IMD, Heat Waves are a period of unusually high temperatures as compared to what is normally expected over a region. The World Meteorological Organization reported that 2023 was the hottest year on record, with heatwaves becoming more frequent and severe due to anthropogenic climate change.

Factors contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in India:

1. Anthropogenic Climate Change:The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report confirms that an increase in frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves is ‘very likely’ over most land areas, including India due to human-induced climate change
2. Urban heat island effect: Cities act as giant heat traps due to the absorption and retention of heat by buildings, roads, and pavement. Reduced vegetation cover exacerbates this effect, leading to significantly higher temperatures in urban areas compared to surrounding region.

3. Shrinking natural cooling mechanisms: Decreasing numbers of lakes, ponds, and rivers due to urbanisation and climate change diminish natural cooling mechanisms.
4. El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO): During El Niño events, warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean can lead to increased temperatures and reduced rainfall in India, contributing to heatwaves.

Longer and more intense heat waves were linked to an increased mortality risk.To effectively address the challenges posed by increasing heatwaves, governments must prioritise immediate actions such as preparing health centres, stockpiling essential medicines such as ORS, providing water and shelter, and rescheduling work hours for outdoor workers. The long-term goal is to address the anthropogenic causes for climate change, and at the same time, tackling systemic shortfalls like poverty, unplanned cities, access to health care and nutrition.

PYQ

1. Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. 2013
2. What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India?2019

Source:

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/how-is-tamil-nadu-bracing-for-heatwaves-explained/article68823532.ece