Need to combat heat waves
The heat waves in several States between April and June may
become more frequent in coming years. The scientific consensus is that heat waves
will grow stronger and expand their geographical spread in the south. The
number of people dying due to heat stress last year was half of the previous
year. There is a need to evolve detailed action plans at the level of States,
districts and cities.
The National Disaster Management Authority is guiding States,
in partnership with the India Meteorological Department.
In the Indian context, crop failures and
disruption of electricity supply due to sudden peak demand are common. People
experience dehydration, heat cramps and deadly heatstroke. The elderly are
particularly at risk.
Better meteorological forecasting can provide an early
warning about a coming hot spell. To defend ourselves from the harms of unusual
heat waves no single short term remedy is sufficient. It requires a long term
and large course of action which includes mass afforestation, eco- friendly
architecture, pollution control, proper planning of cities, and so on.
Disasters are natural but the intensity of their impact depends on us.
Prevention is anytime better than cure. Increasing distress due to climate
change is an outcome of unplanned development. Once such unplanned
industrialization takes place then it becomes very difficult to take the
necessary measures. A wise man digs well before but a fool starts digging after
becoming too thirsty and dies before he seeks water.
We are witnessing since last many years that torrid summer has
been increasing year by year. In the winter or rainy season, we should prepare
ourselves for summer. We should learn some lessons from this horrible summer
that we should never waste water, electricity, other precious resources etc.
Heat and cold wave process in India is associated wind pattern with respect to
high pressure belt around Nagpur. The wind patterns will change according to
what is happening in Bay of Bengal or Arabian Sea. The affluent people should
use air conditioner at optimum level, not very chill, so that the outer
environment can be burdened with less heat. After all everyone needs to play
some role on combating heat wave.
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