Jharkhand

• 05 Apr 2024

Heatwave in States, including Jharkhand

Why in News?

Recently, the India Meteorological Department forecast heatwave conditions in parts of Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Yanam over the next two-three days.

Key Points

• The weather department has forecast a harsh and arid summer over a majority of regions of the country during April-June 2024.
  • There is a high probability of heatwave episodes lasting in a range of 10 to 20 days during the period.
• During April, the performance of the pre-monsoon rainfall shall be below average, mainly over coastal India, eastern and south peninsular India.
  • The rainfall forecast indicates that the dry weather since February 2024 would continue over these regions.
  • Aridity and shortage of water will aggravate during the summer season of 2024.

Heatwaves

• Heatwaves are prolonged periods of excessively hot weather that can cause adverse impacts on human health, the environment, and the economy.
• India, being a tropical country, is particularly vulnerable to heatwaves, which have become more frequent and intense in recent years.
• IMD Criteria for Declaring Heat Wave in India:
  • Heat waves need not be considered till the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C for Plains and at least 30°C for Hilly regions.
  • If the normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40°C, then an increase of 5°C to 6°C from the normal temperature is considered to be heat wave condition.
  • Further, an increase of 7°C or more from the normal temperature is considered a severe heat wave condition.
  • If the normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40°C, then an increase of 4°C to 5°C from the normal temperature is considered to be heat wave condition. Further, an increase of 6°C or more is considered a severe heat wave condition.
  • Additionally, if the actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more irrespective of normal maximum temperature, a heat wave is declared.