News Arena

Join us

Home
/

april-heatwave-in-south-asia-made-45-times-more-likely-by-climate-crisis-scientists

Lifestyle

April heatwave in South Asia made 45 times more likely by climate crisis: Scientists

Similar heatwaves could occur once every 30 years and they have already become about 45 times more likely due to climate change, leading climate scientists said on Wednesday, citing historical weather data.

News Arena Network - New Delhi - UPDATED: May 14, 2024, 07:16 PM - 4 mins read

A woman holds a cold water bottle against her face amid the ongoing heatwave, April heatwave in South Asia made 45 times more likely by climate crisis: Scientists

April heatwave in South Asia made 45 times more likely by climate crisis: Scientists

A woman holds a cold water bottle against her face amid the ongoing heatwave,


Annu Mishra kept her modest food stall shut as temperatures in Odisha's Bhubaneswar remained above 40 degrees Celsius for 17 consecutive days in April. This streak was the longest since 1969, severely impacting health and livelihoods.

"The crippling heat made it extremely difficult to stand near the gas stove," said 51-year-old Mishra, noting that the only time her food stall remained shut for such a long duration was during Cyclone Fani in 2019.

 

Similar heatwaves could occur once every 30 years and they have already become about 45 times more likely due to climate change, leading climate scientists said on Wednesday, citing historical weather data.

Motorists protect themselves from the heat.

 

 

The team of scientists, called the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group, emphasized that heatwaves intensified by climate change are making life much tougher for people living in poverty across Asia.

 

Amid a prevailing but weakening El Nino and the increasing concentration of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, millions of people in South Asia endured brutal heat in April.

 

Record-smashing maximum temperatures were logged in parts of India, prompting health warnings from government agencies and some states to suspend in-person classes in schools.

 

The oppressive heat also shattered temperature records in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar.

 

In West Asia, including Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, April heatwaves with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius have become more frequent due to climate change.

As global average temperatures have risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius compared to the cooler pre-industrial climate, scientists predict that West Asia is expected to experience similar heatwaves about once every 10 years. If warming reaches 2 degrees Celsius, similar heatwaves will occur about once every five years.

A woman covers her face to protect herself from the extreme heat in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

 

 

Heatwaves can be deadly, with the elderly and children particularly at risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. According to the World Health Organization, more than 166,000 people died as a result of heatwaves between 1998 and 2017.

 

Extreme temperatures can also impact economies. People are less productive during hot weather, even if they work indoors, while children struggle to learn in extreme heat.

 

In Bhubaneswar, Mishra suffered a loss of Rs 20,000 due to keeping her food stall shut during the prolonged heat wave spell (16 days), the longest since April 2016.

 

"Other street vendors were allowed to sell their produce and articles between 6 am and 10 am in the morning and 6 pm and 10 pm in the evening, resulting in massive losses for them. Many suffered heatstrokes," Mishra, who is also a member of the local street hawkers' association, said.

A woman hawker during the heatwave in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

 

 

Experts suggest that the population aged above 65 and below 15 needs special attention in terms of preparedness to reduce the impact of extreme heat on health.

 

"Cities in India need to identify vulnerable populations expeditiously and prepare heat action plans accordingly," said Vishwas Chitale, senior program lead at the Council for Energy Environment and Water.

 

The WWA emphasized that some countries, such as India, have comprehensive heat action plans in place.

 

Yet, to protect some of the most vulnerable people, these plans must be expanded with mandatory regulations, such as workplace interventions for all workers to address heat stress. 

Related News
Time to ditch BMI for Body Roundness Index?

Time to ditch BMI for Body Roundness Index?

July 1, 2024, 08:59 PM - 6 mins read

What Inside Out 2’s Ennui teaches us about boredom

What Inside Out 2’s Ennui teaches us about boredom

July 1, 2024, 12:57 AM - 6 mins read

Walking can prevent recurring lower back pain

Walking can prevent recurring lower back pain

July 1, 2024, 12:48 AM - 6 mins read

What is the viral ‘Sleepy Girl Mocktail’?

What is the viral ‘Sleepy Girl Mocktail’?

June 29, 2024, 04:47 AM - 6 mins read

Are family videos on YouTube training AI models?

Are family videos on YouTube training AI models?

June 28, 2024, 05:29 AM - 7 mins read

Bhojpuri nights, temples reflect Guyana's Indian roots

Bhojpuri nights, temples – Guyana's Indian roots

June 27, 2024, 12:32 AM - 3 mins read

How to choose your vote – a psychologist’s advice

How to choose your vote – a psychologist’s advice

June 26, 2024, 10:29 PM - 5 mins read

How to cool down quickly and safely in a heatwave

How to cool down quickly and safely in a heatwave

June 26, 2024, 10:17 PM - 5 mins read

Silkworm riceballs, cricket sushi on Singapore menus soon

Are insect foods the next trend in Singapore?

June 26, 2024, 09:54 PM - 3 mins read

Ladakh's lunar-like Lamayuru 'moonland' a tourist hit

Ladakh's lunar-like 'moonland' a tourist hit

June 25, 2024, 11:08 PM - 3 mins read

Is plastic food packaging bad for your health?

Is plastic food packaging bad for your health?

June 25, 2024, 10:00 PM - 3 mins read

Half of India's adults are physically unfit

Half of India's adults are physically unfit

June 25, 2024, 09:39 PM - 3 mins read

https://www.instagram.com/thelaughclubofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/burraahhh_/

Lifestyle

See All
Time to ditch BMI for Body Roundness Index?

Time to ditch BMI for Body Roundness Index?

July 1, 2024, 08:59 PM - 6 mins read

A recent study suggests that instead of BMI, we should be using something called body roundness index (BRI) to get a more accurate picture of a person’s body fat levels and predict health risk.v

Read more
What Inside Out 2’s Ennui teaches us about boredom

What Inside Out 2’s Ennui teaches us about boredom

July 1, 2024, 12:57 AM - 6 mins read

Boredom, and the fear of it, motivates us to scroll mindlessly. But research has shown that the more we use smartphones to distract us from boredom, the more bored we risk becoming.

Read more
Walking can prevent recurring lower back pain

Walking can prevent recurring lower back pain

July 1, 2024, 12:47 AM - 6 mins read

Do you suffer from low back pain that recurs regularly? If you do, you’re not alone. Roughly 70% of people who recover from an episode of low back pain will experience a new episode in the following year.

Read more
What is the viral ‘Sleepy Girl Mocktail’?

What is the viral ‘Sleepy Girl Mocktail’?

June 29, 2024, 04:47 AM - 6 mins read

Many of us wish we could get a better night’s sleep. Wouldn’t it be great if it was as easy as a mocktail before bed?

Read more
Are family videos on YouTube training AI models?

Are family videos on YouTube training AI models?

June 28, 2024, 05:28 AM - 7 mins read

The promised artificial intelligence revolution requires data. Lots and lots of data. OpenAI and Google have begun using YouTube videos to train their text-based AI models. But what does the YouTube archive actually include? 

Read more
Bhojpuri nights, temples reflect Guyana's Indian roots

Bhojpuri nights, temples – Guyana's Indian roots

June 27, 2024, 12:32 AM - 3 mins read

The majority of Guyanese Indians practice Hinduism, including Sarwan, while the incumbent president, Irfaan Ali, is a Muslim of Indian descent.

Read more
How to choose your vote – a psychologist’s advice

How to choose your vote – a psychologist’s advice

June 26, 2024, 10:29 PM - 5 mins read

When you are trying to decide who to vote for, my advice is to take back control of your emotions. Think about what you fear and what things in the future make you worry about yourself, your family, your community or your country.

Read more
How to cool down quickly and safely in a heatwave

How to cool down quickly and safely in a heatwave

June 26, 2024, 10:17 PM - 5 mins read

Sweating is the most powerful way your body can remove heat. As sweat evaporates, it takes heat with it. In the heat, people can produce between a half to two litres of sweat per hour.

Read more
Silkworm riceballs, cricket sushi on Singapore menus soon

Are insect foods the next trend in Singapore?

June 26, 2024, 09:54 PM - 3 mins read

Customers at eateries in Singapore might soon have the opportunity to enjoy consuming insects.

Read more
Ladakh's lunar-like Lamayuru 'moonland' a tourist hit

Ladakh's lunar-like 'moonland' a tourist hit

June 25, 2024, 11:00 PM - 3 mins read

Ladakh's 'moonland,' a captivating destination with a unique topography reminiscent of the lunar surface, is drawing tourists from across the globe with its extraordinary resemblance to the lunarscape.

Read more
Is plastic food packaging bad for your health?

Is plastic food packaging bad for your health?

June 25, 2024, 10:00 PM - 3 mins read

Research has demonstrated that certain chemicals present in plastic can migrate from the material into the food and beverages it comes into contact with.

Read more
Half of India's adults are physically unfit

Half of India's adults are physically unfit

June 25, 2024, 09:39 PM - 3 mins read

As reported by the WHO, lack of physical activity increases the likelihood of adults developing cardiovascular conditions like heart attacks and strokes, Type 2 diabetes, dementia, as well as breast and colon cancers.

Read more

TOP CATEGORIES

  • Nation

QUICK LINKS

About us Rss FeedSitemapPrivacy PolicyTerms & Condition
logo

2024 News Arena India Pvt Ltd | All rights reserved | The Ideaz Factory