HEAT ISLAND EFFECT
Hurricane Beryl closes in on southeast Caribbean after strengthening into dangerous Category 4 storm
Beryl was centred about 150 miles (240 kilometres) southeast of Barbados late Sunday. It had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph) and was moving west at 20 mph (31 kph). It is a compact storm, with hurricane-force winds extending 30 miles (45 kilometres) from its centre.
Few cities have effective heat action plans: Report
Cities lack heatwave preparedness, with limited resources allocated to mitigate extreme heat impact. Recommendations include redefining heat waves based on 'feels like' temperature and setting new warm night thresholds. Implementing local thresholds for early warning systems, considering factors like the urban heat island effect, is crucial to combat escalating heatwave challenges and prevent heat-related deaths.
Is climate change leading to frequent and high intensity heat waves in North America?
A study by a group of scientists have found that climate change caused by anthropogenic factors has caused an increase in the number of high intensity heat waves in North America. This serves as an early warning for all the stakeholders to tackle the issue of increased emissions.
Heatwaves: A reminder to focus on health as part of climate action
Heatwaves are affecting a huge proportion of India’s population with health problems, including heatstroke, dehydration and worsened chronic health conditions. With over 25,000 cases of heat stroke being reported since March, hospitals have witnessed a spike in heat-related illness cases, stretching already strained public health systems.
Delhi Heatwave: What's causing the extreme temperatures in the national capital?
Delhi is facing an extended period of intense heat, with the IMD issuing alerts for high temperatures. The city has experienced eight consecutive days of heatwave conditions, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Factors such as dry westerly winds, urban heat island effect, and global warming contribute to the severity of the heat. Relief is expected later in the week, but until then, residents are advised to take precautions against the scorching heat.
Sweltering heat, flash floods, 'disappearing' spring season - India's weather story so far in 2024
Extreme weather events in the first five months of 2024 in north India have caused deaths, floods, and landslides in the northeast, with a spring season that may soon disappear from the calendar.
- Go To Page 1
Urbanisation led to 60% more night-time warming in Indian cities than non-urban areas: Study
A study by IIT Bhubaneswar found that urbanization has led to 60% more night-time warming in over 140 Indian cities compared to surrounding non-urban areas. Cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Rajkot were most affected, with Delhi-NCR and Pune also experiencing significant warming. The urban heat island effect, where concrete and asphalt store and release heat, is the main cause. T
Large parts of India swelter under intense heat, 37 cities record temperatures over 45 deg C
The intense heat wave sweeping across large parts of India has led to soaring temperatures and challenging conditions for residents and authorities alike. Maharashtra's Akola has imposed Section 144 until May 31 to prohibit public gatherings, while a 'red' warning has been issued for several states including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, indicating a very high likelihood of heat-related illnesses.
No respite from heat wave in large parts of India, Barmer sizzles at 48.8 degrees C
Barmer was followed by Phalodi with maximum temperature at 48.6 degrees degrees, Fatehpur at 47.6 degrees Celsius, Jaisalmer at 47.5 degrees Celsius, Jodhpur at 47.4 degrees Celsius, Jalore at 47.3 degrees Celsius, Kota at 47.2 degrees Celsius and Churu at 47 degrees Celsius, the Met Centre said.
Brutal heat in large parts of India; temperatures set to rise further, says IMD
Official data showed that at least 24 places in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh recorded maximum temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius or above on Wednesday.
On hottest days, risk of hospitalisation doubled in people having sugar, BP problems: Spanish study
A study in Spain found that extreme heat doubles the risk of hospitalisation for people with metabolic disorders, obesity, and diabetes. Higher air pollution levels worsen the risk. Heat also affects blood pressure, leading to increased hospital admissions. Men are at higher risk for injuries, while women are at higher risk for infectious, hormonal, respiratory, and urinary diseases.
Cruel Summer: Rethinking how to live, work in a world that is getting warmer
As this year’s summer, with its extended heat waves and record temperatures, warns, how to adapt to a warmer world is no longer a hypothetical question. A new study by World Weather Attribution says climate change has made a 30-day heat wave in South Asia 45 times more likely and 0.85o C hotter. Experts say we need to rethink the kind of houses we live in and offices we construct, how we grow our crops and the way we look at the impact of heat on our bodies, even as we tackle reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Northwest India endures punishing heat for 2nd day on trot
Northwest India, including Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, experiences a severe heatwave with temperatures surpassing 45 degrees Celsius for the second day. The India Meteorological Department issues red warnings for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and west Rajasthan, and orange alerts for east Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, highlighting high health concerns for vulnerable populations.
Lok Sabha elections: Fatal heat waves are testing India's ability to protect 1.4 billion people
Kolkata faces extreme heat and heat waves with inadequate measures to protect residents. Commuters seek refuge in a glass-walled bus shelter with malfunctioning air conditioners. Local authorities' plans to install cooled cabins have not been fully realized. Mayor Firhad Hakim expresses concerns about the city's lack of heat resilience efforts and high death toll.
Bengaluru hit with unusual weather; records its 4th hottest day in April
Bengaluru is experiencing an unusually hot summer, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius, the fourth hottest April day on record. The India Meteorological Department predicts partly cloudy skies from April 29 to May 3, with rain expected on May 2 and 3. The elevated temperatures are attributed to El Niño, anticyclone, and a ridgeline passing through certain latitudes.
Lok Sabha elections: Severe heat wave predicted in many states during second phase of polling
Voters endure searing heat in Lok Sabha elections as IMD warns of heatwave in multiple states. Relief may come with winds, rain. Urban areas face warm nights. La Nina could impact rainfall for agricultural needs.
ETMarkets PMS Talk: Value, visibility & validation help this fund manager pick stocks for PMS fund
Hemant Shah of Seven Islands PMS prioritizes growth opportunities in investments, focusing on value, visibility, and validation. The fund's performance, market analysis, investor criteria, stock selection, and risk management strategies reflect a comprehensive approach to investment management. Shah says: "Market sentiment appears to be driven by profit-taking due to steep valuations rather than negative external factors."
Sick of flights in India? Try German trains!
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 unites the east and west of Germany, but the state of its railways is a shared desperation. Deutsche Bahn, the national railway operator, is currently on a three-day strike, causing significant disruptions. Additionally, farmers' roadblocks across the country are making travel by road nearly impossible. Despite these challenges, the author decided to take a train from Amsterdam to Halle in east Germany, which had a reasonable delay of 80 minutes. However, due to the roadblocks, their meetings were canceled, and they are now trying to cross the border back to Amsterdam.
Europe endures another year of droughts and wildfires
Last year, heatwaves resulted in over 61,600 heat-related fatalities across 35 European countries and triggered devastating wildfires. This year, temperatures could exceed Europe's current record of 48.8 degrees Celsius, recorded in Sicily in August 2021.
Greenless, treeless cities can't be modern
The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) why it cannot acquire land to plant trees as it reminded the agency to increase the city's green cover. The court recognised that a clean environment, which accommodates existing developments, is essential to public good. Climate change makes it imperative the city reshapes its developmental priorities and increases blue-green infrastructure, such as trees, gardens, and water bodies, as outlined in the 2041 masterplan. Delhi is battling air pollution, seasonal heat islands, and a decrease in forest cover that, though small, signals a dangerous trend.
Extreme heat sparks wildfires, health warnings
Firefighters battled blazes in parts of Greece and the Canary Islands while Spain issued heat alerts and some children in Italy's Sardinia were told to stay away from sports. From California to China, authorities warned of the health dangers brought by searing temperatures, urging people to drink water and shelter from the sun.
Heat wave Cerebrus roasts Europe; here's region-wise update, travel plans
Officials are urging people to take precautions to stay safe during the heat wave Cerebrus. These include staying indoors as much as possible, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding strenuous activity.
Humidity can complicate heat stress burden for Global South
Humidity can negate the cooling benefits of green spaces in cities, according to Yale School of the Environment researchers. In dry climates, urban residents are less heat-stressed than rural citizens, but in the humid “global south”, the opposite is true. Xuhui Lee, meteorology professor at Yale, calls this effect the “urban dry island”, created by the fact that urban land is less humid than surrounding rural areas.
What are heat waves, El Nino and how does it affect agriculture and your pocket?
Wheat is the main rabi crop in India. The government has projected a record wheat output of 112.2 million tonnes for the 2022-23 crop year (July-June). India is the second-largest producer of wheat, and is one of the largest exporters of food for the world.
India's heat action plans fail to identify and target vulnerable groups: Report
March 2022 was the warmest ever and the third driest in 121 years. The year also saw the country's third warmest April, eleventh warmest August and eighth warmest September since 1901. Studies show India is one of the most exposed and vulnerable countries to heat.
India's ticking heat bomb is testing limits of human survival
The national weather office has forecast rising temperatures in the coming weeks after India experienced its hottest February since 1901. That’s stoked concerns that there will be a repeat of last year’s record heat wave, which caused widespread crop damage and triggered hours-long blackouts. While no country is untouched by global warming, there are multiple reasons that make India an outlier.
Winter Love Island contestants told to turn social media accounts ‘inactive’ during stay in villa. See why
If reports are to be believed, the participants of the Winter Love Island will not be able to have an operative social media account while they are a part of the show.
COP27 agrees to fund climate damages, no progress on emission cuts
The two-week talks in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, which at times appeared to teeter on the brink of collapse, delivered a major breakthrough on a fund for climate "loss and damage".
Why architects are resurrecting traditional building techniques to beat the heat
In Nigeria, for example, people have long used biomimicry to copy the style of local flora and fauna as they design their homes.
Load More
