Heatwave

Intense, frequent heatwaves push India closer to limit of human survival

The national weather office has forecast rising temperatures in the coming weeks after India experienced its hottest February since 1901

Indian industries stock up on coal to avoid shortages during summer

The fear of disruptions to mine output when monsoon rains begin a couple of months later is also a factor

Kerala to set up water kiosks, launch awareness drive as summer approaches

With many parts of Kerala reeling under intense heat, the state government on Saturday announced a series of plans including setting up water kiosks in local bodies and busy commercial streets in anticipation of a heat wave and possible sun stroke. Cold water, butter milk and oral rehydration solution (ORS) would be kept as per requirement in these water kiosks, known as 'thanneer pandals" in local parlance, across the state. The kiosks should be kept open till May, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed in a meeting of State Disaster Management Authority which was attended by heads of various departments and district collectorates here. District-wise notification should be issued to the general public about the location of such 'thanneer pandals' and public buildings and the space provided by noble people can be used for the same, he said. Village panchayats, municipalities and corporations would be allotted Rs 2 lakh, 3 lakh and 5 lakh respectively from the Disaster Response Fu

India's wheat output dented by heatwave, could limit govt stock building

The reduction in production amid a drop in inventories to the lowest level in 6 years may force the world's second biggest producer of the grain to allow imports after banning exports last year

Met predicts above-normal temperature in March-May in upper half of country

Says average max temperature in Feb 2023 highest since 1901; wheat crop under stress

Centre sets up panel to protect wheat as farms gear up for heat wave

The states that could see a possible heatwave are in the Northwest region mostly, which is India's main food bowl plain and comprises Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh

'India could experience heatwaves that break human survivability limit'

Severe heat waves, responsible for thousands of deaths across India over the last few decades, are increasing with alarming frequency and soon the country could become one of the first places in the world to experience heat waves that break the human survivability limit, according to a new report. The World Bank report titled "Climate Investment Opportunities in India's Cooling Sector" said the country is experiencing higher temperatures that arrive earlier and stay far longer. "In April 2022, India was plunged into the grip of a punishing early spring heat wave that brought the country to a standstill, with temperatures in the capital, New Delhi, topping 46 degrees Celsius (oC) (114 degrees Fahrenheit). The month of March, which witnessed extraordinary spikes in temperatures, was the hottest ever recorded", it said. The report will be released during the two-day "India Climate and Development Partners' Meet" being organised by World Bank in partnership with the Kerala government ..

Heat waves due to climate change have cost world economy trillions so far

Massive economic losses brought on by extreme heat induced by human-driven climate change are an issue now, not only in the distant future

California to see blackouts with highest-ever demand amid brutal heat wave

California will face its highest chance of blackouts this year as a brutal heat wave continues to blanket the state with triple-digit heat, officials have warned. As people crank up their air conditioners, the state forecast record levels of energy use that could exceed supply Monday evening, said Elliot Mainzer, president of California Independent System Operators, which runs the state's electrical grid. The state could fall 2,000 to 4,000 megawatts of electricity short of its power supply, which represents as much as 10 per cent of normal demand, he said. State energy officials said the electrical load on Tuesday potentially could hit 51,000 watts, the highest demand ever seen in California. CAISO issued a Flex Alert call for voluntary conservation between 4 pm and 10 pm on Monday and for 4 pm to 10 pm Tuesday, making seven alerts in as many days. Consumers were urged to keep air conditioners at 78 degrees (25.5 degrees C) or higher during the period and avoiding using major ...

Japan experiences 2nd hottest summer on record since 2010, says report

Japan's weather agency on Saturday said the country has just experienced its second-hottest summer on record, after seeing record-breaking temperatures

IMD records drop in mercury levels, light rain in parts of Delhi today

Mercury in the national capital fell by a few notches as the minimum temperature on Tuesday settled at 24.6 degrees Celsius, even as the weather office has forecast cloudy sky with light rain later in the day. The city recorded a relative humidity of 82 per cent at 8:30 AM, according to data shared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The minimum temperature on Monday was recorded at 26.9 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature stood at 35.9 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal. Rains lashed parts of Delhi on Monday. Tuesday's minimum temperature of 24.6 degrees Celsius is two notches below normal, the IMD said. The MeT office has forecast generally cloudy sky with light rain later in the day, with the maximum temperature expected to settle around 35 degrees Celsius. The minimum and maximum temperature readings on Wednesday are likely to settle at 26 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius, respectively, according to IMD forecast. The air quality index (AQI) of D

China: Iconic Shanghai skyline goes dark as drought hits power supply

The waterfront area - known for its mix of historical and futuristic buildings - is a popular tourist destination, BBC reported.

Rains, pests force world's top cotton producer India to import supplies

This confluence of extreme weather events brought on by climate change has sent cotton prices soaring by as much as 30%

China orders factories to shut down amid fiercest heat wave in six decades

China's Sichuan province has ordered all factories to shut down for six days to ease a power shortage in the region as a scorching heat wave sweeps across the country, media report said

July becomes Spain's hottest month on record with average temp of 25.6C

The monthly average beat the previous record from July 2015 by 0.2 degrees Celsius and is 2.7 degrees higher than the long-term average for July

France going through its most severe drought ever, says PM Elisabeth Borne

The exceptional drought we are currently experiencing is depriving many municipalities of water and is a tragedy for our farmers, our ecosystems and biodiversity, the statement said.

Spanish PM tells public to stop wearing ties to save energy

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has urged citizens to stop wearing ties to work in an effort to save energy amid the ongoing heat wave.

California wildfires: 14,000 acres land destroyed, 6000 people displaced

According to CNN, the state fire officials said that the fire began on Friday and remained 0 per cent contained on Sunday in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada near the small community of Midpines

Heatwave in Europe underscores need for action to fight climate change: WHO

As the Europe reels from the effects of a prolonged heatwave responsible for a series of ferocious wildfires regional governments have been urged by WHO to implement the Paris climate agreement

Over 1,000 killed in Spain's heatwave; temperature tops 40 deg C

Spain's Ministry of Health said on Thursday that 1,047 people died in this year's second heatwave as temperatures topped 40 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country over the past 10 days