Understanding the Heatwave Havoc
As the summer season unfolds, relentless heatwaves have swept across several regions of India, surpassing initial forecasts and lasting longer than anticipated. The toll has been severe, with over 50 casualties reported, predominantly in Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. In these areas, temperatures have soared above 45 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the discomfort and posing significant challenges to daily life.
As these scorching temperatures persist, the gradual onset of the monsoon offers a glimmer of relief. However, attention remains firmly fixed on addressing the aftermath of the heatwave and preparing for the impending monsoon season. It is imperative to focus efforts on mitigating the impact of extreme heat on communities across affected regions and ensuring their well-being.
Defined by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a heatwave is characterised by maximum temperatures of at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains and 30 degrees Celsius in hill districts. Beyond the immediate discomfort it brings, a heatwave presents multifaceted challenges across various sectors of the economy.
Let's delve into the diverse implications of heatwaves from various perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of their effects.
Peak Power Demand
India's peak power demand surged to a new record of 250 GW on May 30, as much of northern India grappled with severe heatwave conditions. The national capital, New Delhi, recorded scorching temperatures with a maximum of 45.6 degrees Celsius, significantly above normal. Such extreme heatwave conditions lead to a surge in the use of cooling appliances, driving up power demand.
The northern region, particularly affected by the heatwave, saw its power demand reach an all-time high of 86.7 GW. Similarly, the western region also touched a record demand of 74.8 GW, highlighting the widespread impact of the heatwave on power consumption.
Thermal power generation, especially during non-solar hours, reached an all-time high of 176 GW. To cope with the rising demand, the government has mandated imported coal-based plants to operate at its full capacity till September 2024. Additionally, the mandate to blend 6% imported coal by all domestic coal-based plants has been extended to meet the surge in demand.
The country is expected to witness a peak demand of up to 260 GW during the ongoing summers, further emphasising the need for capacity addition in thermal power plants and full utilisation of gas-based power plants.
Heatwaves adversely affect the efficiency of power generation sources, particularly solar and wind. Solar panel efficiency decreases with rising temperatures, resulting in lower electricity generation. Similarly, wind turbine efficiency is also impacted, leading to reduced output. Gas-based generation also faces challenges as increased air temperature leads to derating effects, reducing capacity and efficiency.
The thermal capacity of transmission lines decreases in higher ambient temperatures, increasing the risk of tripping. Sagging of transmission lines becomes more pronounced, leading to potential outages. Maintenance requirements escalate during heat waves, posing logistical challenges for repair.
Water Woes
Amidst the scorching heatwave, water shortages have become increasingly dire, leading to distressing scenes of animals collapsing and people scrambling for access to water, prompting drastic measures from both individuals and authorities.
As temperatures surge, so does the demand for water. This surge in demand coincides with reduced water supply, as heatwaves often accompany droughts and erratic rainfall patterns, leading to dwindling river flows, depleted groundwater reserves, and the drying up of lakes and reservoirs. This dual impact of increased demand and reduced supply amplifies the challenges, straining existing water infrastructure, threatening crop yields, disrupting ecosystems, and exacerbating mental and physical health concerns. From strained infrastructure to environmental degradation, the ripple effects of heatwaves on water availability are far-reaching and urgent.
Agricultural Anguish
Heatwaves exert profound effects on India's agriculture sector, impacting crop production, livestock, and overall agricultural productivity. High temperatures and intense sunlight during heatwaves induce heat stress in crops, leading to reduced yields, water stress, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Soil moisture depletion and drought conditions further compound crop health issues. Livestock experience heat stress, resulting in reduced feed intake, lower milk production, and higher mortality rates. These challenges threaten rural livelihoods, exacerbating income losses, food insecurity, and vulnerability among farming households.
Inflation and Loss of Livelihood
The economic impact of heatwaves in India is multifaceted and far-reaching. Lower water reservoir levels due to prolonged heatwaves severely impact access to drinking water and agricultural activities, particularly fodder cultivation, horticulture, and vegetable production. The resulting decrease in agricultural output has the potential to drive up food prices, leading to inflationary pressures that could affect monetary policy. Rise in food prices, especially vegetables, strain household budgets. The scorching temperatures also necessitate halting construction activity during peak heat hours, causing disruptions in occupational structures.
Health Risks
Heatwaves pose significant health risks to individuals, particularly vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Some of the primary health risks associated with heatwaves include:
Heat Exhaustion: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, characterised by symptoms such as heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and fainting. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke.
Heatstroke: Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's temperature regulation system fails, and the body temperature rises to dangerously high levels (above 40°C or 104°F). Symptoms include confusion, rapid heartbeat, hot and dry skin (absence of sweating), unconsciousness, and seizures. Heatstroke requires immediate medical attention as it can result in organ damage and even death if not treated promptly.
Dehydration: High temperatures and excessive sweating can lead to dehydration, where the body loses more fluids than it takes in. Dehydration can cause symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, dark-coloured urine, fatigue, and dizziness. Severe dehydration can lead to electrolyte imbalances and organ failure if not addressed.
Respiratory Issues: Heatwaves can worsen air quality, leading to increased concentrations of pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter. Breathing in polluted air during a heatwave can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis, leading to breathing difficulties and exacerbation of symptoms.
Cardiovascular Problems: Heatwaves can strain the cardiovascular system, leading to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events, especially in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. High temperatures can cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate, which can put additional stress on the heart.
Mental Health Issues: Heatwaves can also have adverse effects on mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, irritability, and even heat-related mental health conditions such as heat-induced psychosis or delirium, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Gendered Implications
In the scorching heat of Indian summers, the ramifications of heatwaves and water scarcity are far from gender-neutral. Women and girls across the country bear a disproportionate burden of these climatic challenges, amplifying existing gender disparities in health, economic opportunity, and educational access. As water reservoir levels plummet to alarming lows and temperatures soar, the vulnerability of women becomes increasingly evident.
Traditionally assigned roles exacerbate women's susceptibility during heatwaves, with tasks like water fetching and outdoor agricultural labour adding to their physical strain. The United Nations Human Rights report highlights that women spend up to four hours daily on water-related tasks, exposing them to heightened health risks. Pregnant and elderly women face even greater dangers, with heat stress leading to complications like pre-term labour and increased stillbirth rates.
Economically, women, especially those engaged in agriculture and informal sectors, bear the brunt of heatwaves and water crises. Agriculture, a sector predominantly reliant on female labour, suffers from diminished yields and loss of biodiversity, threatening the livelihoods of rural women. Additionally, women's indoor refuge offers little respite as inadequate cooling mechanisms further reduce their work capacity, widening the existing income gap.
To address these challenges, comprehensive strategies prioritising women's well-being and empowerment are imperative. Promoting women's leadership in decision-making processes, implementing gender-responsive policies, and enhancing access to resources are crucial steps forward. Moreover, collecting sex-disaggregated data and fostering climate-resilient agricultural practices can equip women with the tools to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Compiled by EN Team