India experiences a hot, dry season every year, usually between the months of March and July. This season however has been particularly deadly, as temperatures approaching 50°C have racked the country, killing thousands.
India is located in South Asia, and as such the entire country is subject to either tropical or subtropical climates. This year, temperatures rose to above 40°C across the country, reaching 46°C in Hyderabad, 44.5°C in Delhi, 36°C in Kolkata, and a record high 48°C in Khammam. The current heat wave has resulted in the highest recorded temperatures in India since 1995, and is so severe that it has melted asphalt roads in India’s capital, New Delhi.
A number of factors are amplifying the severity of this year’s heat wave. The pre-monsoon season rains usually have a cooling effect on the Indian climate, and also help to lower humidity. However, this year’s rains have been sparse, and as a result, the temperature has only kept rising. Another contributor is El Niño, which refers to a band of warm ocean water that periodically develops in the Pacific Ocean and has a noticeable warming effect on coastal countries. El Niño has entered full effect this year and has definitely added to the sweltering temperatures. Thirdly, India is affected by a hot summer wind known as the Loo which originates in Pakistan and passes during the months of May and June.
The number of deaths attributed to the heat wave has steadily climbed since early May to over 2,500 across the country, making this year’s heat wave the deadliest since 1979. The number of casualties has been concentrated in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, located in southeast India. Andhra Pradesh has reported 1735 deaths, while Telangana has reported 585. No other state in India has reported more than 30 deaths. The government has committed to providing 100 000 rupees to the families of those killed due to the heat wave. Drinking water and intravenous fluids have been made available at public spaces.
India has had to deal with extreme heat in the past. In relatively recent summers, 1677 have died in 1995, 793 in 2011, 1247 in 2012, and 1216 in 2013. It remains to be seen how many more casualties will result from this heat wave, as the monsoon season that provides relief from the heat does not usually start until July, and has been predicted to start even later this year. India will not experience a true cooling down until October, after the monsoon season has passed. With a month remaining before the worst of the heat wave passes, Indian citizens are being advised to stay indoors at noontime. It remains to be seen just how much worse the heat wave will get.
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