Rajasthan
Core Cold Wave Zone
- 25 Nov 2024
- 3 min read
Why in News?
The National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has a public advisory on cold wave conditions for Rajasthan and 16 other states and Union Territories.
Key Points
- Cold Wave Season and Core Cold Wave Zone:
- A cold wave is a rapid fall in temperature within 24 hours to a level requiring substantially increased protection to agriculture, industry, commerce, and social activities.
- The cold wave season spans from November to March, with December and January experiencing the most extreme cold events.
- Affected Regions:
- Telangana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.
- Vulnerable Groups:
- The advisory identifies the following populations as particularly at risk:
- Homeless individuals
- Elderly people
- Economically disadvantaged individuals
- Pregnant and lactating women
- Children
- Outdoor workers and farmers
- Managers of night shelters
- The advisory identifies the following populations as particularly at risk:
- Definition of a Cold Wave:
- According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Standards:
- For plains, a cold wave occurs when the minimum temperature is ≤10°C.
- For hilly regions, it is defined as a minimum temperature of ≤0°C.
- According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Standards:
- Potential Health Issues:
- Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to very low temperatures.
- Frostbite is damage to skin and tissues due to freezing temperatures.
- Non-freezing Cold Injuries are conditions like Immersion Foot, resulting from prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions.
- In severe cases, cold exposure can lead to fatalities if precautions are not taken.
India Meteorological Department
- IMD was established in 1875.
- It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.
- It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology.
