STRATEGY TO DEAL WITH HEAT CRISIS
In recent news, parts of India have experienced an unprecedented rise in temperature that has threatened not only the food security of the country but also various sectors of the economy. The situation is a matter of serious concern for the country, especially as it has already been predicted that there is a possibility of an intensely hot summer and extended heat waves this year. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the higher day-time temperatures might hurt wheat that is approaching the productive growth period, which is sensitive to temperature. High temperatures during the flowering and maturing period lead to a loss in yield. Similar effects might be seen in horticulture and other standing crops. Heat waves generally occur in April but are less common, while May is usually the month of excessively high temperatures. However, in February, which is technically a winter month, temperatures have already reached up to 40 degrees Celsius, impacting almost all aspects of life, particularly health services. Last year, India recorded its warmest March on record, with an average maximum temperature of 33.1 degrees Celsius or 1.86 degrees Celsius above the long-term average. The situation is particularly alarming given India’s population density and the cascading impact that heat waves can have on various sectors of the economy. A climate update by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UK Met Office warned last year that the world overall temperature is moving in a dangerous direction, and it is almost certain that 2022-2026 will see the warmest year on record, though there is close to a fifty-fifty chance of breaching 1.5°C. The report emphasized that all South Asian nations were lagging in taking key crucial initiatives that would directly contribute to both climate change adaptation and mitigation in the region. According to the assessment, the region’s prospects are dismal.
The Indian government’s response to the situation so far has been limited to setting up a committee to monitor the situation and issuing advisories to farmers. However, these measures are not enough to deal with the crisis effectively. The country needs a comprehensive policy and strategy to prevent a catastrophe that is likely to be triggered by the heating up of the land and the atmosphere. The government should take into account the poor farmers and their lack of resources and implement measures that are more accessible to them. If the current heat wave persists, it is predicted that the standing wheat crop, which was sowed in December and January, will suffer losses of 5 to 10 percent, and mustard losses of 4 to 6 percent. About 40% of the crops were sown late and thus could sustain more severe harm. In order to prepare for high temperatures and make sure that everyone is aware of the Do’s and Don’ts during a heat wave, the Indian government should also work with state and local disaster response organizations and municipal authorities. This coordination could be done through the National Disaster Management Authority, which is supposed to coordinate the network of state and UT disaster response agencies and city leaders to prepare for soaring temperatures.
The impact of heat waves is not limited to agriculture. They have a cascading impact on human health, ecosystems, water, energy supplies, and all sectors of the economy. The government must, therefore, take immediate action and implement a comprehensive policy and strategy to deal with the crisis. The government should also consider the long-term impact of climate change and take initiatives that would directly contribute to both climate change adaptation and mitigation in the region. The government’s efforts to deal with the situation should not be limited to issuing advisories to farmers. Instead, it should be a long-term policy that aims to reduce the impact of climate change on various sectors of the economy. India is one of the most densely populated countries, and hence severe heat wave conditions would impact hundreds of millions of people, livestock, and the entire ecology.
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