June 3rd 2024.
The scorching heatwave in India has been taking its toll on the population, especially in the eastern states of Orissa and Bihar where dozens of lives have been lost. The record-breaking temperatures have left many struggling to cope with the unbearable conditions. This is not the first time the country has experienced such extreme heat, as the devastating summer of 1998, which claimed over 2000 lives in Orissa, still haunts the memories of many.
In Delhi and the surrounding areas, temperatures have reached a staggering 52.3 degrees Celsius, causing concern among experts and the Indian Meteorological Department. While the IMD has questioned the accuracy of this reading, experts believe that such a high temperature is entirely possible given the sweltering conditions that have been plaguing the city. It is no surprise that such extreme heat has severe consequences on human health, exacerbating existing health issues and making life unbearable for many.
But the heatwave is not the only crisis gripping India. Forest fires have been ravaging the country, destroying precious green cover and depleting water reserves. According to reports, the water levels in major reservoirs have dropped to a worrying 23 percent, causing alarm among the population. And on top of all this, the recent general election and the grueling campaigning have added to the already unbearable living conditions for the majority of the population.
The recent surge in temperatures has not gone unnoticed by the courts, with the Delhi High Court expressing concern over the future of the national capital if the younger generation continues to disregard deforestation. The court has taken note of the fact that the official temperature in Delhi reached a scorching 52.3 degrees Celsius on May 30th, and warned that if the current generation does not take action to protect the environment, the city may soon become a barren desert. Similarly, the Rajasthan High Court has also raised the alarm, calling for heatwaves to be declared as national calamities in light of the deaths caused by the extreme heat in the state.
While the courts are now taking notice, climate scientists have long been warning about the consequences of global warming. The rapid increase in temperatures is evidence that drastic climate change is happening right before our eyes, and urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat this man-made crisis. A recent study published in The Lancet showed a 55 percent increase in heat-related fatalities in India between 2000-2004 and 2017-2021, with an estimated loss of 167.2 billion work hours due to heat exposure in 2021 alone. And although heatwaves have become a common occurrence in India during the summer season, experts warn that they are now lasting longer, becoming more intense, and occurring more frequently.
Thankfully, relief is in sight as the monsoon is expected to cover the entire country in the coming days, bringing an end to the current heatwave. However, this will not erase the devastating effects of this summer, including the 99 deaths in Rourkela and other parts of the state. And unless immediate action is taken to address this man-made crisis, we can expect to face the same story every year. It is time for us to act and protect our environment before it's too late.
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