Daily Heat Tracker: Hisar Records India’s Highest Day & Night Temperatures

What Happened?

• According to the Daily Heat Tracker by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and corroborated by Down To Earth, Hisar (Haryana) reported the highest daytime and night-time temperatures in India recently.
• At least six cities have reported above-normal maximum temperatures, indicating a severe and persistent heatwave trend across northwestern and central India.

Key Data Points

Climate and Environmental Implications

1. Urban Heat Islands (UHI)
   • Cities like Hisar, Delhi, and Varanasi exhibit strong UHI effects due to high concrete density, low green cover, and limited wind movement.
2. Extreme Weather Pattern
   • India is witnessing more frequent, longer-duration, and intense heatwaves, consistent with IPCC AR6 projections for South Asia.
3. Rising Minimum Temperatures
   • High night-time temperatures reduce human recovery from heat stress, increase heat-related morbidity, and indicate trapped radiation due to pollution and urban structures.

Socio-Economic Impact

• Public Health: Surge in heatstroke cases, dehydration, and cardiovascular risks, particularly for the elderly and urban poor.
• Agriculture: Heat stress impacts crop productivity (e.g., wheat, pulses), evaporative losses, and irrigation needs.
• Labour Productivity: Outdoor workers face reduced hours and increased vulnerability, affecting informal sector incomes.
• Energy Demand: Increased use of cooling appliances strains electric grids and worsens fossil fuel dependency.

Government Response

• IMD Heat Action Plans activated in Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and UP.
• State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) instructed to ensure:
  • Water availability in urban slums
  • Cooling shelters and shaded rest zones
  • Awareness through media and schools
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued advisories for heatwave preparedness under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

UPSC Relevance

Prelims:

• IMD Heatwave Criteria
• Urban Heat Island Effect
• NDMA guidelines

Mains – GS III (Environment & Disaster Management):

• “Discuss the impact of rising urban temperatures on public health and urban resilience.”
• “How should Indian cities prepare for increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves?”