In recent years, India has witnessed a concerning trend of rising temperatures and extreme weather events. February 2025 marked shift with the arrival of heatwaves earlier than usual. For the first time, heatwaves were recorded during the winter months. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that February 2025 was the hottest February in 125 years. This trend indicates a worrying escalation in climate-related challenges.
Definition of Heatwaves
Heatwaves are prolonged periods of excessively hot weather. The IMD defines a heatwave as a situation where the maximum temperature exceeds 40°C in plains. In coastal regions, the threshold is slightly lower. These events can lead to severe health risks, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Record Temperatures in February 2025
On February 25, 2025, Goa and Maharashtra experienced India’s first heatwave of the year. Odisha and Jharkhand also reported their earliest heatwaves in four years. The temperatures reached alarming levels, with Odisha recording 43.6°C in Boudh on March 15, 2025. This was followed by Jharsuguda at 42°C and Bolangir at 41.7°C.
Rising Night Temperatures
February 2025 saw night temperatures above normal across many states. At least 22 states and union territories reported night temperatures 3°C to 5°C above normal. This pattern has been noted since 2022, indicating a troubling trend of warmer nights that can disrupt sleep and health.
Geographic Spread of Heatwaves
The heatwave phenomenon was not limited to one region. States in the Central region, East and North East, Northwest, and Southern Peninsula all recorded unusual temperature spikes. For instance, Odisha and Jharkhand had their first warm nights on March 15, 2025, much earlier than previous years.
Impacts on Agriculture and Health
Extreme heat affects agricultural productivity. A 1°C increase in night temperatures can reduce wheat yields by 6% and rice yields by up to 10%. Additionally, warmer nights can degrade the quality of crops, making them less palatable and altering their nutritional value. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to increased mortality rates and exacerbate heat stress.
Climate Change Correlation
The advancing timeline of heatwaves and warm nights aligns with findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The Sixth Assessment Report marks the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events. These changes are attributed to climate change and tell the urgency for mitigation strategies.
Monitoring and Data Analysis
Since 2022, Down to Earth (DTE) has been tracking extreme weather data from IMD. In 2024, the IMD began releasing data on warm night conditions. Recently, the inclusion of night temperature anomalies in their reports marked a critical step in understanding the climate crisis.
Future Implications
The trends observed in 2025 suggest a need for immediate action. The escalating heatwaves and warm nights pose risks to human health and agricultural sustainability. Continued monitoring and analysis are essential to address these challenges.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the impact of rising night temperatures on human health and agriculture in India.
- Explain the relationship between climate change and the increasing frequency of heatwaves in India.
- What are the socio-economic implications of prolonged heatwaves on rural communities? Discuss with suitable examples.
- Comment on the role of government policies in mitigating the effects of extreme weather events on agriculture and public health.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically analyse the impact of rising night temperatures on human health and agriculture in India.
- Rising night temperatures disrupt sleep patterns, leading to increased fatigue and health issues.
- Higher night temperatures can exacerbate heat stress, particularly among vulnerable populations.
- Increased temperatures can reduce agricultural yields, with a 1°C rise potentially decreasing wheat yields by 6% and rice by 10%.
- Warmer nights can degrade crop quality, making them less palatable and altering nutritional value.
- Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can increase mortality rates and strain healthcare systems.
2. Explain the relationship between climate change and the increasing frequency of heatwaves in India.
- Climate change leads to rising global temperatures, which increase the likelihood of extreme weather events.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports show a correlation between climate change and intensified heatwaves.
- India’s heatwaves are occurring earlier and with greater intensity, aligning with global climate patterns.
- Increased greenhouse gas emissions contribute to the warming atmosphere, resulting in more frequent heatwaves.
- The trend indicates a need for urgent climate action to mitigate these effects.
3. What are the socio-economic implications of prolonged heatwaves on rural communities? Discuss with suitable examples.
- Prolonged heatwaves can lead to decreased agricultural productivity, impacting food security and livelihoods.
- Increased temperatures can result in higher water demand and scarcity, affecting irrigation and drinking water supplies.
- Heat stress can lead to health issues, increasing medical costs and reducing workforce productivity.
- For example, farmers in Odisha may face crop failures, leading to economic instability and migration to urban areas.
- Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children, may suffer more, exacerbating social inequalities.
4. Comment on the role of government policies in mitigating the effects of extreme weather events on agriculture and public health.
- Government policies can promote sustainable agricultural practices to enhance resilience against heatwaves.
- Investment in climate-resilient infrastructure can help protect communities from extreme weather impacts.
- Public health initiatives can raise awareness and provide resources to manage heat-related health risks.
- Policies that support research on climate adaptation strategies can improve agricultural productivity under changing conditions.
- Collaboration with local communities is essential for effective implementation and response to extreme weather events.
