Core Cold Wave Zone | 25 Nov 2024

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 
• 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. 
• 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.