Heat Waves in India
As the summer months approach, the Earth is heating up at yet another unprecedented pace. Particularly, Northern India is already facing extreme heat. Yesterday, India’s weather department issued warnings for high temperatures in parts of northern India, including capital Delhi, for this week. April to June are the months that India experiences the most heat waves, but the heat of this season has already been elevated. In fact, twenty-one cities across five states in India registered a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius, which is equivalent to roughly 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest temperature expected for Delhi is 42 °C, but the average temperature for the city last year was 37 °C. This shows a distinct deviation from earlier patterns and poses a great threat to the population. The Indian Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert, which means that the heat is tolerable for the general public but can cause moderate health concerns for infants, the elderly and people with chronic diseases.
Indian officials have made it clear that these changes are the direct result of climate change, and they are actively threatening the population. Mahesh Palawat, vice president of meteorology and climate change at weather forecasting company Skymet, stated that heat wave occurrence has recently been exacerbated by climate change. Climate change is causing heat waves to start occurring earlier in the year, continue occurring longer than normal, and increase in duration and intensity. This story drew my attention, particularly thinking about our reading of Ministry for the Future. The events currently happening in India are reminiscent of the disastrous heatwave that Frank experiences at the beginning of the book. Obviously, these heat waves are not nearly as bad as those Frank witnesses, but it is terrifying seeing the heat climb so drastically with the warm months just starting. This year’s heatwaves have deadly potential and are the direct result of continued worldwide emissions.
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It’s crazy how the heat in northern India is already hitting 42°C (108°F) and it’s starting earlier and lasting longer because of climate change. This is really dangerous for babies, the elderly, and anyone with health problems. It actually makes me think of the heatwaves in Ministry for the Future. It’s pretty concerning how these extreme events are happening more and more often.
ReplyDeleteMinistries of the Future and Frank was my first thought when I saw the first photo as well. I wonder what the heat index was reading when it was 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
DeleteIt was crazy to read about the rapid increase in average temperature in over twenty cities in India. I think it is so unfortunate that the general population in the US isn't educated on the deadly effects of climate change that other countries are facing.
ReplyDeleteWith India's huge and growing population it is scary how many people are being affected by these heat waves. To be able to support and protect this many people from heat is a huge task for any country.
ReplyDeleteWe literally just read a book about something just like this right? fiction might just be re defined as "almost real" because wow. With over a Billion people?
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I was thinking while reading this while it was in a book it is possible to become reality. I just hope there is a plan India is able to come up with to help save lives that will be affected by the heat waves.
DeleteIndia's intensifying heatwaves, driven by climate change, are an alarming reminder of the real and rising dangers posed by global warming.
ReplyDeleteTo hear about a longer and more intense heatwave season occurring in India makes me fearful, especially given the predictions in Ministry for the Future like you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteThe rise in frequency and intensity of weather events as a direct cause of climate change is terrifying. What is even more terrifying is that there are many people who believe it is not connected to climate change, and that we are just supposed to adapt to these changes, when the extreme weather especially mentioned in this post isn't even effecting them to the same degree! People are forced to migrate from their homes, leave their jobs, and start their lives over, and they are the lucky ones that manage to survive! It is important to raise awareness like you did in this post, that this is happening now.
ReplyDeleteThe frequency, intensity, and duration of these heatwaves is terrifying. I agree that this is very reminiscent of the heatwave that Frank experiences in Ministry for the future - the number of deaths relating to/caused by heat stroke has only continued to increase over the past several years, and it seems like it is only getting worse.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting to see how The ministry of the future connects to real life and scary to think how the world will be impacted
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a Ministry for the future moment. All I can see is the first scene of that book where there are so many people that die. I really hope that they have the different resources necessary to help support the people.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm not the only one who had the first chapter of MFTF stick with them. It's devastating that these waves and ones worse may become the new norm when nothing gets done. People are dying. When will anyone do something about it?
ReplyDeleteThere is awareness of climate danger from storms and sea level rise, but the heat itself is more dangerous than many people realize. As you say, it is hard to read about such heat waves without thinking about Ministry for the Future - and that heatwave seems not only possible, but inevitable on our current path.
ReplyDeleteWhen will we wake up and see that we are causing these heat waves by not combatting and protecting our earth against climate change. It reminds me of Frank’s experience from our book, but it’s more heartbreaking knowing that this is someone’s reality.
ReplyDeleteThis is devestating to see. So many people and animas will die from this heatwave and the many mre to come. The electricty can't keep up with all the populations and some people may not even be able to get AC units... so tragic this is the current world.
ReplyDeleteGood point about the AC, MJ, especially in India.
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