Heat Waves: Environment for UPSC Exams
Heat Waves: Environment for UPSC Exams
Heat Waves:
- 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.
- Heat Waves typically occur between March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July.
- The extreme temperatures and resultant atmospheric conditions adversely affect people living in these regions as they cause physiological stress, sometimes resulting in death.
- As per Indian Metrological Department(IMD):
- Heat Wave need not be considered till maximum temperature of a station reaches atleast 40C for Plains and atleast 30C for Hilly regions.
- When normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40*C Heat Wave Departure from normal is 5C to 6C Severe Heat Wave Departure from normal is 7C or more.
- When normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40C Heat Wave Departure from normal is 4C to 5C Severe Heat Wave Departure from normal is 6C or more
- When actual maximum temperature remains 45C or more irrespective of normal maximum temperature, heat waves should be declared.
- Health Impact of Heat Waves:
- Heat Cramps: Ederna (swelling) and Syncope (Fainting) generally accompanied by fever below 39C.
- Heat Exhaustion: Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and sweating.
- Heat Stoke: Body temperatures of 40C or more along with delirium, seizures or coma. This is a potential fatal condition