heat wave

In recent days, a figure claiming that 8,056 people died in Uttar Pradesh during a five-day heatwave has spread rapidly across the media reports and social media discussions.

Among the most common effects of the unbearable heat during Nautapa are dehydration and heat exhaustion. In a more serious scenario, people, especially school-going children, might suffer heatstroke and seizures.

India is facing a brutal early summer with temperatures hitting 47.4°C. Experts warn that a developing "Super El Nino" could intensify these heatwaves and weaken the upcoming monsoon, threatening the country’s water security, power grids, and agricultural economy through 2026.

India is undoubtedly prone to hot weather, which is triggered by a multitude of interrelated determinants. Heat is trapped close to the surface by meteorological elements, including low winds, high pressure systems and a shortage of cloud cover. A "heat dome" that has confined hot air over the Indo-Gangetic plains and eastern India is also a critical cause. Pre-monsoon heatwaves have been common and consistent in India.

Pupils are experiencing severe heat exhaustion, losing consciousness and bleeding from their noses while at school.

Europe is facing an acute Climate Change crisis, with rivers drying up and fires engulfing forests in an unprecedented drought.

RAF halted flights from Brize Norton, and had to divert flights to other bases to keep its operation running amidst safety concerns due to the heat wave.