முதன்மை உள்ளடக்கத்திற்குச் செல்

Heatwaves in India - UPSC

Heatwaves and its effects on India 

  • Prelims: Climate Change, Air mass.
  • Mains (GS3): Conservation, environmental Pollution, Climate Change


WHAT IS A HEATWAVE?

A heatwave is a period of unusually hot weather with above-normal temperatures that typically lasts for 3 or more days. A heat wave is a situation of high air temperature that, when experienced by a person, is fatal. The period of heatwave in India is mainly during March to June and in some rare cases even in July. The peak month of the heat wave over India is May. It is the third biggest natural killer in India, with 2,040 people dying of them in 2015.

The prescription given by IMD suggests that a heatwave is considered if the maximum temperature at a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius for plains, at least 37 degrees Celsius for coastal stations, and at least 30 degrees Celsius for hilly areas.

Credit : Gyan Shahane

CRITERIA:

If normal maximum temperature is  ≤40 degrees Celsius, then an increase of 5 degree Celsius to 6 degree Celsius from normal temperature, is considered to be heat wave. An increase of 7 degree Celsius or more is severe heat wave condition.If normal maximum temperature of a station is > 40 degree Celsius, then an increase of 4 degree Celsius to 5 degree Celsius from normal temperature, is considered to be heat wave. More than 6 degree Celsius is considered to be severe heat wave.

Also read: What are Invasive alien species ? Why are they important

IMPACTS:

On lives and livelihoods:
  • According to a World Bank report, "Climate Investment Opportunities in India's Cooling Sector," from 2030, about 16 to 20 crore people would be exposed to lethal heatwaves in India every year, resulting in 3.4 crore people losing their jobs because of heat stress-related productivity decline.
  • Mortality because of the high temperature. According to a 2019 report by the Tata Centre for Development and the University of Chicago, more than 1.5 million people will likely die each year by 2010.
On food insecurity:
  • Heatwaves cause crop production losses and tree mortality to increase. An increase in heat waves can cause an increase in forest fires and a decrease in forest products.


லேபிள்கள்:

இந்த வலைப்பதிவில் உள்ள பிரபலமான இடுகைகள்

RBI Grade B Exam

  The RBI Grade B exam is conducted by the Reserve Bank of India to recruit officers in Grade 'B' (General) - DR, DEPR, and DSIM in the Common Seniority Group (CSG) Streams. It is a top level competitive exam that tests candidates on various subjects, including general awareness, English, quantitative aptitude, and reasoning. Eligibility Criteria : Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria: Nationality : The Candidate must be a citizen of India. Age : Must be between 21 to 30 years. Age relaxations are applicable for reserved categories. Educational Qualification : For Grade 'B' (General) DR: A minimum of 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD) in Graduation. For DEPR and DSIM: Post-graduation in relevant fields with required percentage. Exam Pattern: The RBI Grade B exam is conducted in 3 phases: Phase-I (Preliminary Exam) : Objective type, includes General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning. Phase-II (Main Exam)
Read more »

Iyothee Thass Pandithar - TNPSC

  Pandit Iyothee Thass C. Iyothee Thass  (20 May 1845 – 1914) was an Indian anti-caste activist and a practitioner of  Siddha  medicine. He famously converted to  Buddhism  and called upon the  Paraiyars  to do the same, arguing that this was their original religion. Iyothee Thass was born Kathavarayan on 20 May 1845  in  Thousand Lights , a neighbourhood in  Madras  (now Chennai), and later migrated to the  Nilgiris district . Work :   In the 1870s, Iyothee Thass organized the Todas and other tribes of the Nilgiri Hills into a formidable force for the freedom movement. In 1876, Thass established the Advaidananda Sabha and launched a magazine called Dravida Pandian in collaboration with Rev. John Rathina. In 1886, Thass issued a revolutionary declaration that Scheduled caste people (Dalits) were not Hindus. Following this declaration, he established the “Dravida Mahajana Sabha '' in 1891 along with Rettamalai Srinivasan. During the 1891 census, he urged the members of Schedul
Read more »

Calling Attention Motion

What are Motion A Motion refers to a formal proposal made by a member of Legislature to initiate discussion on a matter of general public importance. It can be Moved either by ministers or Private Members. No Discussion can be made except for such motions that has consent of presiding officer. Calling Attention Motion A member may with the prior permission of the Speaker call the attention of a Minister to a matter of urgent public importance and request him to make a statement thereon. This is an Indian Innovation.
Read more »