Telangana plans to issue heat stress maps

Hyderabad: The state is heating up and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a very torrid summer. Climate experts and meteorologists say that more than the high temperature, it is the heat stress caused by the rising temperatures and relative humidity that will cause the most discomfort.

Heat stress occurs when the body cannot get rid of excess heat. When this happens, the body’s core temperature rises and the heart rate increases.

The Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) is to come out with a heat atlas  which will pinpoint areas where heat stress is on the higher side.

“We need to understand that the seasonal temperature is not the only factor for heat stress. A normal human body maintains a core temperature of 37º Celsius, and the skin temperature is lower at nearly 32ºC. When the temperature of the surroundings increases, the body tries to cope by sweating. This body mechanism is affected by relative humidity (RH), and exposure to radiation and wind. In case our body does not maintain equilibrium, we start feeling discomfort or heat stress and in extreme conditions, it may lead to heat stroke,” Mr Rohit Kumar, a researcher at the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi told Deccan Chronicle.

“We will now get a digital map that will tabulate the heat index of the state, and will also give out alerts on the heat stress that is birthed from it,” said Mr Y.V. Rama Rao, weather forecast consultant, TSDPS.

He added that since the city is located atop the Deccan Plateau, it is comparatively cooler. He, however, did not rule out anthropomorphic activities which could raise the temperature.