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https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/03/asia/india-heat-wave-survival-hnk-intl/index.html
Are parts of India becoming too hot for humans?
By Shekhar Chandra, CNN
Updated at 0054 GMT (0854 HKT) July 4, 2019
(CNN) — Intense heat waves have killed more than 100 people in India this summer and are predicted to worsen in coming years, creating a possible humanitarian crisis as large parts of the country potentially become too hot to be inhabitable.
Heat waves in India usually take place between March and July and abate once the monsoon rains arrive. But in recent years these hot spells have become more intense, more frequent and longer.
India is among the countries expected to be worst affected by the impacts of climate crisis, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say that even if the world succeeds in cutting carbon emissions, limiting the predicted rise in average global temperatures, parts of India will become so hot they will test the limits of human survivability.
"The future of heat waves is looking worse even with significant mitigation of climate change, and much worse without mitigation," said Elfatih Eltahir, a professor of hydrology and climate at MIT.
A mirage shimmers in New Delhi on June 10, 2019.
When the heat rises
The Indian government declares a heat wave when temperatures reach at least 4.5 degrees Celsius (40 Fahrenheit) above the "normal" temperature for that area for at least two days. A heat wave becomes "severe" when temperatures climb to 6.4 degrees Celsius (43 Fahrenheit) above normal for at least two days.
Thresholds for heat waves, therefore, differ across the country -- in the capital New Delhi, a heat wave is declared after two consecutive days of temperatures of at least 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit).
Last year, there were 484 official heat wavesacross India, up from 21 in 2010. During that period, more than 5,000 people died. This year's figures show little respite.
In June, Delhi hit temperatures of 48 degrees Celsius (118 Fahrenheit), the highest ever recorded in that month. West of the capital, Churu in Rajasthan nearly broke the country's heat record with a high of 50.6 Celsius (123 Fahrenheit).
India's poorest state, Bihar, closed all schools, colleges and coaching centers for five days after severe heat killed more than 100 people. The closures were accompanied by warnings to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, an unrealistic order for millions of people who needed to work outdoors to earn money.
And forecasters believe it's only going to get worse.
"In a nutshell, future heatwaves are likely to engulf in the whole of India," said AK Sahai and Sushmita Joseph, of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, in Pune in an email.
Are parts of India becoming too hot for humans?
By Shekhar Chandra, CNN
Updated at 0054 GMT (0854 HKT) July 4, 2019
(CNN) — Intense heat waves have killed more than 100 people in India this summer and are predicted to worsen in coming years, creating a possible humanitarian crisis as large parts of the country potentially become too hot to be inhabitable.
Heat waves in India usually take place between March and July and abate once the monsoon rains arrive. But in recent years these hot spells have become more intense, more frequent and longer.
India is among the countries expected to be worst affected by the impacts of climate crisis, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say that even if the world succeeds in cutting carbon emissions, limiting the predicted rise in average global temperatures, parts of India will become so hot they will test the limits of human survivability.
"The future of heat waves is looking worse even with significant mitigation of climate change, and much worse without mitigation," said Elfatih Eltahir, a professor of hydrology and climate at MIT.
A mirage shimmers in New Delhi on June 10, 2019.
When the heat rises
The Indian government declares a heat wave when temperatures reach at least 4.5 degrees Celsius (40 Fahrenheit) above the "normal" temperature for that area for at least two days. A heat wave becomes "severe" when temperatures climb to 6.4 degrees Celsius (43 Fahrenheit) above normal for at least two days.
Thresholds for heat waves, therefore, differ across the country -- in the capital New Delhi, a heat wave is declared after two consecutive days of temperatures of at least 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit).
Last year, there were 484 official heat wavesacross India, up from 21 in 2010. During that period, more than 5,000 people died. This year's figures show little respite.
In June, Delhi hit temperatures of 48 degrees Celsius (118 Fahrenheit), the highest ever recorded in that month. West of the capital, Churu in Rajasthan nearly broke the country's heat record with a high of 50.6 Celsius (123 Fahrenheit).
India's poorest state, Bihar, closed all schools, colleges and coaching centers for five days after severe heat killed more than 100 people. The closures were accompanied by warnings to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, an unrealistic order for millions of people who needed to work outdoors to earn money.
And forecasters believe it's only going to get worse.
"In a nutshell, future heatwaves are likely to engulf in the whole of India," said AK Sahai and Sushmita Joseph, of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, in Pune in an email.
