‘Urban heat islands’ adding to heatwave
Climate change could be the culprit for intense heatwave
Update: 2015-05-29 06:32 GMT
Hyderabad: Climate change could be the culprit behind the ongoing intense heatwave sweeping across the country, say researchers from the New Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). About 2,000 people have died in the country due to the heat this season and more than 50 per cent of them were from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A heatwave is declared when the temperature is five degrees or more than the average temperature recorded on that particular day over the last three decades. CSE researchers also say that an effect known as ‘urban heat island’, magnifies the effect of heatwaves in cities and makes temperatures feel three to four degrees more than what they are.
Prof E.U.B. Reddy of the environmental sciences department of Andhra University said, “One tree is equal to having four air conditioners to maintain the environmental temperatures. Huge old trees are being chopped down everywhere and afforestation rate is low. On top of this, land in cities is being increasingly covered with materials like cement and concrete, turning them into urban heat islands. Paved surfaces store heat during the day and release most of it at night and also evaporate less water, which results in increased surface temperatures. This is the reason why rural areas are cooler as they have more trees and much more open ground.”
Ms Arjuna Srinidhi of CSE added, “Compared to 2010, heatwave conditions in 2015 so far have been of shorter durations, yet with a higher death toll. This could be due to the sudden change in temperatures after a prolonged wet February and March that had kept the temperatures cool.”
Climate records show that human-induced global warming had turned 2014 into the hottest year on record. Eight out of the 10 warmest years in India were during the past decade.
An unfortunate prediction by CSE climate researchers is that heatwave days may go up from about five to between 30 and 40 every year as globally temperatures have risen by an average .8ºC in the past century.
Pregnant women find it tougher to cope with heat:
The ongoing heatwave in TS and AP is proving to be particularly taxing for pregnant women who are complaining of exhaustion and severe irritation despite being indoors.
There have been several cases of pregnant women visiting gynaecologists with these complaints. Some, who are in advanced stages of pregnancy, are complaining of loss of appetite and mood swings.
Dr K. Bhavana, senior gynaecologist at Rainbow Hospitals, said, “The loss of appetite is because of the external heat and also the heat generated within their bodies because of hormonal changes. But they can’t go without food as there has to be sufficient intake for blood circulation for the baby in the womb. We are asking parents and relatives to ensure they have light activity or house work to take their focus away from the heat, and then they can be encouraged to eat nutritious food.”
Most gynaecologists are giving appointments only in the evenings due to the heat during the day. Senior gynaecologist at Yashoda Hospitals, Dr P. Jyotsna, said, “Fatigue is an early sign of dehydration. Women insist that as they are at home they are having water, but what they fail to understand is that it may not be sufficient. Also, those who suffer from nausea in the first trimester of pregnancy are having a tough time this summer as they are not able to have even water. We are asking those patients have ORS, flavoured badam milk, tender coconuts, melons and mangoes. The fear of vomiting must not make them completely give up food or it can lead to an emergency situation. There are even chances of abortions.” Doctors, however, were happy that these days patients are informed and take precautions at early stages and also regularly consult their doctor.