India is experiencing unprecedented heatwaves in March 2025, with temperatures soaring to alarming levels. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave alerts across various states, including Delhi, Karnataka, Goa, and Jharkhand. This early onset of extreme heat is attributed to multiple factors, primarily climate change and shifting weather patterns.
Factors Contributing to Early Heatwaves
The primary drivers of the current heatwave include climate change, terrestrial warming, and urbanisation. These elements have led to alterations in weather patterns. February 2025 was recorded as the hottest month in 124 years, setting the stage for March’s soaring temperatures.
Impact of Meteorological Conditions
An exceptionally dry winter has been factor. Rainfall in February was reported to be 93% below normal. This lack of moisture has resulted in clear skies, allowing for rapid temperature increases. Additionally, a weakening La Niña phenomenon and a neutral Indian Ocean Dipole have disrupted typical weather patterns, contributing to abnormal heat levels nationwide.
Health Risks and Urban Vulnerability
High humidity in coastal regions exacerbates the heat’s effects. Humidity hinders the body’s ability to cool itself, increasing health risks and mortality rates. A study assessing heatwave preparedness in nine Indian cities revealed a lack of long-term measures and poorly targeted responses. This puts stress on the urgent need for effective Heat Action Plans.
Recommendations for Heat Resilience
Experts recommend implementing stronger Heat Action Plans. These plans should include funding for specialised roles in climate-vulnerable districts and capacity-building initiatives for local officials. Enhancing heat resilience at the city and district levels is crucial for mitigating health risks associated with extreme temperatures.
Impact on Agriculture
The ongoing heatwaves pose threat to agriculture. The IMD forecasts above-average temperatures throughout March, which could adversely affect winter-sown crops like wheat, chickpeas, and rapeseed. Farmers may face reduced yields due to these extreme conditions.
Future Outlook
Heatwaves in India typically occur between March and June, with May being the peak month. However, the early heat experienced in March 2025 raises serious concerns about the potential impacts on public health and agriculture. Continued monitoring and proactive measures will be essential in addressing these challenges.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity in India.
- Point out the main health risks associated with rising temperatures during heatwaves in urban areas.
- Estimate the effects of urbanisation on local climate patterns and heatwave frequency.
- What are the roles of government and local authorities in mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events? Discuss.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically analyse the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity in India.
- Climate change leads to unpredictable weather patterns, affecting sowing and harvesting times.
- Increased temperatures can cause heat stress on crops, reducing yields .
- Shifts in rainfall patterns result in droughts or floods, impacting crop growth and soil health.
- Extreme weather events can damage infrastructure, disrupting supply chains and market access.
- Farmers may face increased pest and disease pressures due to changing climates, further threatening productivity.
2. Point out the main health risks associated with rising temperatures during heatwaves in urban areas.
- Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can occur, particularly among vulnerable populations like the elderly and children.
- Increased humidity exacerbates heat effects, leading to higher mortality rates and health complications.
- Air quality deteriorates during heatwaves, worsening respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular conditions.
- Water scarcity may arise, leading to dehydration and related health issues.
- Heatwaves can strain healthcare systems, increasing hospital admissions and emergency responses.
3. Estimate the effects of urbanisation on local climate patterns and heatwave frequency.
- Urbanisation leads to the urban heat island effect, causing cities to be warmer than surrounding areas.
- Increased concrete and asphalt surfaces reduce natural cooling, raising local temperatures.
- Higher energy consumption in urban areas contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.
- Deforestation for urban development disrupts local ecosystems, affecting rainfall patterns and temperature regulation.
- Urban sprawl increases vulnerability to heatwaves, as infrastructure may not be designed to cope with extreme temperatures.
4. What are the roles of government and local authorities in mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events? Discuss.
- Governments must develop and implement comprehensive Heat Action Plans to address heatwave preparedness.
- Local authorities should invest in infrastructure improvements to enhance urban resilience against extreme weather.
- Education and awareness programs can inform the public about heat risks and safety measures.
- Collaboration with health services is essential to monitor and respond to heat-related health issues effectively.
- Funding and resources should be allocated for research on climate adaptation strategies and emergency response systems.
