2002 Indian heat wave

Last updated

2002 Indian heat wave
Type Heat wave
Areas India
Start dateMay 2002
Losses
Deaths1,030

More than 1,030 people were killed in the 2002 heatwave in South India . [1] Most of the dead were poor and elderly and a majority of deaths occurred in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. In the districts that were impacted most, the heat was so severe that ponds and rivers evaporated and in those same districts birds had fallen from the sky and animals were collapsing from the intense heat. [2]

Contents

It is said by officials to be the worst heat wave in four years. The relief commissioner of Andhra Pradesh, Rosaiah, said that the maximum number of 172 deaths related to heat took place in the East Godavari district. There were also 166 deaths in Prakasam and 144 deaths in West Godavari. [3]

Unusually high temperatures were detected across India during April of the year 2002. In addition, this heat wave over northern zones of India lasted from the middle of April to the third week in May, thus, causing these fatalities. On May 10 the highest temperature recorded in the region of Gannavaram (Vijayawada) was 49 oC (120 oF). [4] According to the BBC News, "Heatwaves are defined as periods of abnormally high temperatures and usually occur between March and June in India. May is the country's hottest month, with an average maximum temperature of 41 oC (104 oF) in Delhi. Longer, more severe heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent globally. Intense heat can cause cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke. Thousands of people have died across India during heatwaves in 2002 and 2003." [5] The heatwaves also affected the northern states of Punjab, and Haryana. In Orissa, 100 people suffered from heat-related sickness.

Background and details of the 2002 Indian heat wave

Definition of Heat Wave

Heatwave as a hazard causing disaster scenario is little more than the physical phenomenon of high heat conditions and is characterized as a complex of hydro-climatic risks coupled with social, occupational, and public health risks. [6] A Heat Wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season in the North-Western parts of India.

2002 Indian Heat Wave

One of the worst heat waves so far swept through India in May 2002. This was caused by an extreme drought triggered by the El Niño effect. [6] The fierce heatwave killed more than 1,000 people in the country. Elderly people account for most of the deaths, unable to bear temperatures that hit 50 oC (122 oF) in parts of the southern Andhra Pradesh state during the week of May 9–15. [7] In some areas, temperatures were so extreme that many tin-roofed homes turned into ovens, water catchments dried up and animals collapsed from the heat. [8] Heatwave in 2002 led not only to a very high mortality rate, but also to the high morbidity of many heat-related diseases and caused a fatal blow to the local agriculture and economy.

Heatwave events in India during the past 20 years

Heat health impacts in India are serious. Estimates suggest that there have been over 22,000 heat-related fatalities in India since 1992. Due to the El Niño effect, 2015 is considered the hottest year ever, the country witnessed the fifth deadliest heatwave in history. The other nine warmest years on record are 2009, 2010, 2003, 2002, 2014, 1998, 2006 and 2007. In addition to the vulnerable populations identified above, the poor may be differentially impacted on account of gaps in health services, housing, and basic amenities. [6]

Heatwave developing trend

India Meteorological Department report says that heat waves (40oC+ temperatures) are recurring more frequently and with greater intensity every year in India due to climate change and global warming. [6] Therefore, harder works should not only be taken on alleviating the negative impact of the heatwave, but also the root cause problem of climate warming.

Impact of heatwave as a disaster

Consequences of Indian heatwave so far

Physical impacts

The 2002 Indian heat waves was a record-breaking event, which can be considered as a wake-up call and a shock to the Indian order and development. [7] 330 million people were impacted by this heatwave that took about 1030 lives in parts of the southern Andhra Pradesh state during the second week of May 2002, which elderly and poor people account for most of the deaths due to dehydration and heatstroke. People were unable to bear temperatures that hit 50 oC (122 oFahrenheit) as well as the unusual high night-time temperatures. [8]

Geographical impacts

The heatwave forced the early-season rice (Basmati) in the milk-ripe stage to ripening, reducing the thousand-grain mass as well as the yield due to transpiration.[ citation needed ] High-temperature damage caused detrimental impacts to the growth of crops as water supply and demand were out of balance, resulting in wilting and bud drop. In addition, such extreme events also greatly increased the water and electricity consumption of urban residents in India.

Causes of Increasing Heat Wave Incidents

Geographical

Heatwave occur mostly over an interior plain area when dry and warmer air is transported in a region with clear skies, and generally develop over Northwest India and spread gradually eastwards & southwards. [6] The direct cause of the heatwave was the anticyclones or high-pressure ridges occurred in the atmosphere, which leads to a dry climate and a risen temperature without evaporating moisture.

Climate factors

According to case studies carried out by German climatologist Stefan Rahmstorf, [9] there is a causal relationship between heatwave and global warming. Nonetheless, following the effects posed by the heatwave, the WHO, alongside other healthcare organizations, are coming up with strategies to bring back the world into operations.

Response & Adjustments

Local response

P Tulsi Rani, special commissioner for disaster management in the state said: "The state government has taken up education programs through television and other media to tell people not to venture into the outside without a cap." [10] In addition, the Andhra Pradesh government has advised people to stay indoors and drink plenty of water until cooler weather arrives. [11] The local authorities arranged for drinking water supply points, oral rehydration salts and intravenous fluids in public places such as railway and bus stations, and many emergency medical camps have been set up. [12]

International response

Neighboring Pakistan and Afghanistan are hot as well, but India to be suffering far worse. [12] Therefore, following the example of India's measures in this regard, they were able to face the threat of a heatwave.

Health Impacts of Heat Waves

Heatwave-induced diseases and mortality

Diseases that can be identified as a direct result of prolonged exposure to high ambient temperatures are heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heatstroke. [13] During heat waves, there is a significant increase in total daily mortality in all cities. Natural, respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular mortality rates increased significantly under the influence of the heatwave. The health status of people with chronic respiratory diseases deteriorates rapidly during periods of high temperatures. [14]

Urban-rural differences in health risks

Human mortality is influenced by ambient meteorological conditions and levels of atmospheric pollutants. Stagnant atmospheric conditions, common during heatwaves, can trap pollutants in urban areas, exacerbating the negative effects of heatwaves. [15] As heat waves intensify and prolong under climate change, the health risks for urban residents will be significantly higher than for rural residents. Heatwaves not only raise ambient temperatures, but also exacerbate temperature differences between urban and rural areas. [16]

Seasonal differences in health risks

More frequent heatwaves in late spring and early summer may affect short-term human adaptation. Heatwaves in early summer now have a greater impact on heat-related morbidity and mortality than later in the same season. This is attributed to the effects of short-term adaptation to thermal conditions through physiological and behavioral adaptations. [17]

Age differences in health risks

Older people are more likely to suffer from heatstroke than younger people due to dysfunctional thermoregulatory mechanisms, chronic dehydration, medication, and diseases involving the thermoregulatory system. If left untreated, heatstroke can fail to reduce body temperature rapidly, which is fatal, and survivors may suffer long-term disability. [18]

Shorter- and longer-term impacts and other consequences

Shorter-term impacts and consequences

Economy

Extreme high temperatures hit Indian tourism by reducing the number of tourists, and then affected the social economy of this period. Similarly, the chaotic social conditions and low agricultural production will inevitably cause specific economic losses.

Agricultural

As a populous country, Indian dwellers depend on basic agriculture for food and livelihood. Kharif crops, one of the main foods in India, are sown in May to June, any extreme temperature is bound to affect productivity. [6] Therefore, in May 2002, rice, one of the Indian staple foods, declines due to lower production of related grain yield. Consequently, it caused more hunger and death problems.

livelihood

High temperatures prevented outdoor workers from working outdoors, such as traffic police and cleaners. [5] Especially, for a state (India) where the majority of individuals might be working in unorganized and informal sectors, this condition compromised the income source of the vulnerable population. [6]

Longer-term impacts and consequences

Economy

Potential climate impacts like sea-level rise, changes in the monsoon, and drought may lead to food production cuts, private and public property loss, and infrastructure damage. All of these impacts set back general socio-economic development. [19]

Geo-anthropology

Studies have proved that the earth's latitude has a great impact on human destiny. In some way, low-dimensional tropical countries are relatively poorer and more vulnerable to diseases due to the higher temperature.[ citation needed ] Meanwhile, as the harm of the heatwave increases, so will the vulnerability of India's future population, especially in Indo-Gangetic plains. [20]

Climate

In the aspect of vulnerability to climate change, India is one of the most significant countries in the world. The frequency and intensity of heatwave events in India are projected to increase in the future. [21] Most models indicate that the Indian summer monsoons will change disorderly with a warming climate. [19] This means that the time of the monsoon that relieves the heat is more uncertain and that the consequences of the heat waves may be more unpredictable.

Lessons learned from the disaster

Improving adaptability to thermal environments

In terms of architecture, it is possible to construct high ceilings and spacious but lowered verandas to provide more shade. With respect to clothing, wear more light and loose clothing made of cotton and use a hat to protect yourself from direct sunlight. And about lifestyle, try to choose to exercise and work hard in the early morning or late afternoon, and during the summer months a hearty breakfast and a light lunch should be part of our lives. [6]

Concretization and diversification of measures

To protect public health, heat-related policies are increasingly being adopted by Indian authorities, such as Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan, launched in 2013, which is an acclaimed and successful policy response in India and beyond. [6] [22] It's effective to hold fun challenges, such as a global competition was launched in 2021 - The Million Cool Roofs Challenge, where the top of a building is coated with solar reflective paint and covered with white tiles or films to help combat climate change. [23] The team that demonstrates the best sustainable and transferable model can be awarded US$1 million. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extreme weather</span> Unusual, severe or unseasonal weather

Extreme weather includes unexpected, unusual, severe, or unseasonal weather; weather at the extremes of the historical distribution—the range that has been seen in the past. Extreme events are based on a location's recorded weather history. They are defined as lying in the most unusual ten percent. The main types of extreme weather include heat waves, cold waves and heavy precipitation or storm events, such as tropical cyclones. The effects of extreme weather events are economic costs, loss of human lives, droughts, floods, landslides. Severe weather is a particular type of extreme weather which poses risks to life and property.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyperthermia</span> Elevated body temperature due to failed thermoregulation

Hyperthermia, also known simply as overheating, is a condition in which an individual's body temperature is elevated beyond normal due to failed thermoregulation. The person's body produces or absorbs more heat than it dissipates. When extreme temperature elevation occurs, it becomes a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to prevent disability or death. Almost half a million deaths are recorded every year from hyperthermia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heat wave</span> Prolonged period of excessively hot weather

A heatwave, sometimes known as extreme heat, is a period of abnormally hot weather. High humidity often accompanies heatwaves. This is especially the case in oceanic climate countries. Definitions vary but are similar. We usually measure a heatwave relative to the usual climate in the area and to normal temperatures for the season. Temperatures that people from a hotter climate consider normal can be called a heatwave in a cooler area. This would be the case if the warm temperatures are outside the normal climate pattern for that area. Heatwaves have become more frequent, and more intense over land, almost everywhere since the 1950s. This is due to climate change.

The July 1995 Chicago heat wave led to 739 heat-related deaths in Chicago over a period of five days. Most of the victims of the heat wave were elderly poor residents of the city, who did not have air conditioning, or had air conditioning but could not afford to turn it on, and did not open windows or sleep outside for fear of crime. The heat wave also heavily impacted the wider Midwestern region, with additional deaths in both St. Louis, Missouri and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Climate change is an urgent and significant issue affecting Japan. In recent years, the country has observed notable changes in its climate patterns, with rising temperatures serving as a prominent indicator of this phenomenon. As an archipelago situated in northeastern Asia, Japan is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its diverse geography and exposure to various weather systems. The nation experiences a broad range of climates, spanning from the frigid winters of Hokkaido to the subtropical climates of Okinawa. Changes in temperature patterns have the potential to disrupt ecosystems, impact agricultural productivity, modify water resources, and pose significant challenges to infrastructure and human settlements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Russia</span> Emissions, impacts and responses of Russia related to climate change

Climate change in Russia has serious effects on Russia's climate, including average temperatures and precipitation, as well as permafrost melting, more frequent wildfires, flooding and heatwaves. Changes may affect inland flash floods, more frequent coastal flooding and increased erosion reduced snow cover and glacier melting, and may ultimately lead to species losses and changes in ecosystem functioning.

Health in Russia deteriorated rapidly following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and particularly for men, as a result of social and economic changes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of climate change on human health</span> Environmental history

The effects of climate change on human health are increasingly well studied and quantified. They can be grouped into direct effects or indirect effects. The latter take place through changes in the biosphere for example due to changes in water and air quality, food security and displacement. Social dynamics such as age, gender or socioeconomic status influence to what extent these effects become wide-spread risks to human health. Health risks are unevenly distributed across the world. Disadvantaged populations are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts. For example, young children and older people are the most vulnerable to extreme heat.

In May 2015, India was struck by a severe heat wave. As of 3 June 2015, it caused the deaths of at least 2,500 people in multiple regions. The heat wave occurred during the Indian dry season, which typically lasts from March to July with peak temperatures in April and May. Although it typically remains hot until late October, Indian monsoons often provide some respite from the heat.

A severe heat wave with temperatures as high as 49 °C (120 °F) struck southern Pakistan in June 2015. It caused the deaths of about 2,000 people from dehydration and heat stroke, mostly in Sindh province and its capital city, Karachi. The heat wave also claimed the lives of zoo animals and countless agricultural livestock. The event followed a separate heat wave in neighboring India that killed 2,500 people in May 2015.

The 2016 Indian heat wave was a major heat wave in April and May of that year. A national record high temperature of 51.0 °C (123.8 °F) was set in the town of Phalodi, in the state of Rajasthan. Over 160 people died with 330 million affected to some degree. There were also water shortages with drought worsening the impact of the heat wave.

In 2018, several heat waves with temperatures far above the long-time average and droughts were recorded in the Northern Hemisphere: The earth's average surface temperature in 2018 was the fourth highest in the 140 years of record keeping. It is assumed that the jet stream is slowing down, trapping cloudless, windless and extremely hot regions of high pressure. The jet stream anomalies could be caused by polar amplification, one of the observed effects of global warming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 heat wave in India and Pakistan</span> Severe heatwave in India

From mid-May to mid-June 2019, the republics of India and Pakistan had a severe heat wave. It was one of the hottest and longest heat waves in the subcontinent since the two countries began recording weather reports. The highest temperatures occurred in Churu, Rajasthan, reaching up to 50.8 °C (123.4 °F), a near record high in India, missing the record of 51.0 °C (123.8 °F) set in 2016 by a fraction of a degree. As of 12 June 2019, 32 days are classified as parts of the heatwave, making it the second longest ever recorded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in India</span> Emissions, impacts and responses of India related to climate change

Climate change in India is having profound effects on India, which is ranked fourth among the list of countries most affected by climate change in 2015. India emits about 3 gigatonnes (Gt) CO2eq of greenhouse gases each year; about two and a half tons per person, which is less than the world average. The country emits 7% of global emissions, despite having 17% of the world population. Temperature rises on the Tibetan Plateau are causing Himalayan glaciers to retreat, threatening the flow rate of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yamuna and other major rivers. A 2007 World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report states that the Indus River may run dry for the same reason. Heat waves' frequency and intensity are increasing in India because of climate change. Severe landslides and floods are projected to become increasingly common in such states as Assam. The climate change performance index of India ranks eighth among 63 countries which account for 92% of all GHG emissions in the year 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine heatwave</span> Unusually warm temperature event in the ocean

A marine heatwave is a period of abnormally high ocean temperatures relative to the average seasonal temperature in a particular marine region. Marine heatwaves are caused by a variety of factors, including shorter term weather phenomena such as fronts, intraseasonal, annual, or decadal modes like El Niño events, and longer term changes like climate change. Marine heatwaves can lead to severe biodiversity changes such as coral bleaching, sea star wasting disease, harmful algal blooms, and mass mortality of benthic communities. Unlike heatwaves on land, marine heatwaves can extend for millions of square kilometers, persist for weeks to months or even years, and occur at subsurface levels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 heat waves</span> Hotter than normal periods in 2022

In 2022, several areas of the world experienced heat waves. Heat waves were especially notable in East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Australia, western Europe, the United States, and southern South America. 2022 heat waves accounted for record-breaking temperatures and, in some regions, heat-related deaths. Heat waves were worsened by the effects of climate change, and they exacerbated droughts and wildfires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 India–Pakistan heat wave</span> 2022 heat wave in India and Pakistan

The 2022 heat wave in India and Pakistan was an extreme weather event which resulted in the hottest March in the subcontinent since 1901. The hot season arrived unusually early in the year and extended into April, affecting a large part of India's northwest and Pakistan. The heatwave was combined with a drought, with rainfall being only a quarter to a third of normal. It occurred during a La Niña event, in which heat records are generally less likely.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Japan heat wave</span>

The 2022 Japan heatwave was a heatwave that affected many prefectures. Temperatures peaked at 40.2 °C (104.4 °F) in Isesaki, Gunma Prefecture. 15,657 people were taken to hospital emergency departments, 5,261 of whom were admitted.

Starting in April 2023, a record-breaking heat wave has affected many Asian countries, including India, Bangladesh, China, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Several regional temperature records have been set. The heat wave has caused many deaths due to heat stroke and has prompted health warnings and power outages across multiple countries.

References

  1. ↑ "Heat wave in India kills 1,000 people this week". CBC News. 22 May 2002.
  2. ↑ "More than 1,000 dead in southern India heat wave". USA Today. 22 May 2002. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
  3. ↑ Hyderabad (23 May 2002). "India's Heatwave Toll 1,200, No Respite In Site". TerraDaily. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  4. ↑ Dube, Rao, R.K., G.S. (July 2005). "Extreme Weather Events over India in the last 100 years" (PDF). J. Ind. Geophys. Union. 9: 173–187. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 "India heatwave toll passes 1,000". BBC News. BBC. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Guleria, Sushma (2018). Heat wave in India, documentation of state of Telangana and Odisha, 2016. ISBN   978-93-82571-24-7. OCLC   1224042418.
  7. 1 2 "Heat Wave Devastates the South of India, Killing Hundreds". The New York Times. Associated Press. 18 May 2002. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  8. 1 2 "CNN.com - India heat wave toll tops 1,000 - May 22, 2002". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  9. ↑ Rahmstorf, Stefan; Ganopolski, Andrey (1999). "Long-Term Global Warming Scenarios Computed with an Efficient Coupled Climate Model". Climatic Change. 43 (2): 353–367. doi:10.1023/A:1005474526406. S2CID   56568446.
  10. ↑ "India heatwave toll passes 1,000". BBC News. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  11. ↑ "The Heat Is Online". www.heatisonline.org. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  12. 1 2 Ashley Fantz (28 May 2015). "Indian summer: What's behind heat and when will it end?". CNN. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  13. ↑ Clements, Bruce W. (2009), "Heat Waves", Disasters and Public Health, Elsevier, pp. 171–191, doi:10.1016/b978-1-85617-612-5.00012-3, ISBN   9781856176125 , retrieved 1 November 2021
  14. ↑ D'Ippoliti, Daniela; Michelozzi, Paola; Marino, Claudia; de'Donato, Francesca; Menne, Bettina; Katsouyanni, Klea; Kirchmayer, Ursula; Analitis, Antonis; Medina-Ramón, Mercedes; Paldy, Anna; Atkinson, Richard (16 July 2010). "The impact of heat waves on mortality in 9 European cities: results from the EuroHEAT project". Environmental Health. 9 (1): 37. doi:10.1186/1476-069x-9-37. ISSN   1476-069X. PMC   2914717 . PMID   20637065.
  15. ↑ Tan, Jianguo; Zheng, Youfei; Tang, Xu; Guo, Changyi; Li, Liping; Song, Guixiang; Zhen, Xinrong; Yuan, Dong; Kalkstein, Adam J.; Li, Furong; Chen, Heng (1 September 2009). "The urban heat island and its impact on heat waves and human health in Shanghai". International Journal of Biometeorology. 54 (1): 75–84. doi:10.1007/s00484-009-0256-x. ISSN   0020-7128. PMID   19727842. S2CID   12025307.
  16. ↑ Li, Dan; Bou-Zeid, Elie (September 2013). "Synergistic Interactions between Urban Heat Islands and Heat Waves: The Impact in Cities Is Larger than the Sum of Its Parts". Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology. 52 (9): 2051–2064. Bibcode:2013JApMC..52.2051L. doi: 10.1175/jamc-d-13-02.1 . ISSN   1558-8424. S2CID   36776998.
  17. ↑ Amengual, A.; Homar, V.; Romero, R.; Brooks, H.E.; Ramis, C.; Gordaliza, M.; Alonso, S. (August 2014). "Projections of heat waves with high impact on human health in Europe". Global and Planetary Change. 119: 71–84. Bibcode:2014GPC...119...71A. doi:10.1016/j.gloplacha.2014.05.006. ISSN   0921-8181.
  18. ↑ Worfolk, Jean B. (March 2000). "Heat Waves: Their Impact on the Health of Elders". Geriatric Nursing. 21 (2): 70–77. doi:10.1067/mgn.2000.107131. ISSN   0197-4572. PMID   10769330.
  19. 1 2 "India: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 May 2015.
  20. ↑ Dubey, Aditya Kumar; Lal, Preet; Kumar, Pankaj; Kumar, Amit; Dvornikov, Anton Y. (October 2021). "Present and future projections of heatwave hazard-risk over India: A regional earth system model assessment". Environmental Research. 201: 111573. Bibcode:2021ER....201k1573D. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111573. ISSN   0013-9351. PMID   34174254.
  21. ↑ Rohini, P.; Rajeevan, M.; Mukhopadhay, P. (30 March 2019). "Future projections of heat waves over India from CMIP5 models". Climate Dynamics. 53 (1–2): 975–988. Bibcode:2019ClDy...53..975R. doi:10.1007/s00382-019-04700-9. ISSN   0930-7575. S2CID   135242289.
  22. ↑ Nastar, Maryam (December 2020). "Message Sent, Now What? A Critical Analysis of the Heat Action Plan in Ahmedabad, India". Urban Science. 4 (4): 53. doi: 10.3390/urbansci4040053 .
  23. ↑ "Heat wave: Resources | NDMA, GoI". www.ndma.gov.in. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  24. ↑ "Million Cool Roofs Challenge". Nesta Challenges. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.