Page 2 - Heat Wave

Sweltering heat directs attention at 'disappearing' spring in country

Sweltering heatwave in north India that have caused scores of deaths, floods and landslides in the northeast that have affected lakhs of people, a spring season that suggests it could soon "disappear" from the calendar extreme weather events in the first five months of 2024 have got everyone questioning: where is all this headed? Despite having made predictions to this effect, climate scientists acknowledge that the temperatures this summer, including the outlier 52.9 degrees Celsius in Delhi, are "alarming, though not surprising". "This could be the worst summer in the last 120 years, at least for north India. Never have temperatures gone so high more than 45-47 degrees Celsius for such a vast region, which is also densely populated. This is a record in itself," Vimal Mishra, Vikram Sarabhai Chair Professor, Civil Engineering and Earth Sciences, IIT Gandhinagar, told PTI. The temperatures, "similar to those in Africa's Sahara desert," are "far beyond expectations" by at least ..

Delhi discoms relying on advanced tech transformers to ensure power supply

The power discoms operating in Delhi are relying on their advanced-technology transformers to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity, with the peak demand ranging around 8,000 MW amid a scorching heatwave in the city. The transformers used by the BSES are designed to operate at 40 degrees above the ambient (area) temperature, said a spokesperson of the company. "This basically means that the transformers can operate at up to 40 degrees more than the prevalent area temperature. For example, if the area temperature is 48 degrees Celsius, these can operate till 88 degrees Celsius without any external aid," he said. The BSES discoms (distribution companies) -- BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) -- supply electricity to most parts of the city except North Delhi. "Due to the modern design and technology, there is no need for any external aid like a fan to cool the transformer," the BSES spokesperson said. Transformers getting overheated and bu

Extreme temperatures across Asia push LNG imports to record highs

While China may still see lower demand compared with its record breaking shipments in 2021, demand from India and the rest of Asia has compensated for any drop-off, an expert said

15 succumb to suspected heatstroke in Bihar, Odisha over 24 hours

The Odisha government has prohibited outdoor activities for its employees between 11 am and 3 pm when temperatures peak

Sweltering heat raises gas demand as idle power plants resume operations

India invoked an emergency provision to spur output at gas-fired power stations that had previously been idling

Heatwave crisis: How many Indians are succumbing to the high temperatures?

India is grappling with unusually high temperatures this summer, with IMD predicting 'heat wave to severe heat wave' conditions to persist in several regions

Blistering summer helps Varun Bev, Havells, Voltas, others improve earnings

Heat waves are accelerating the penetration of many cooling products like air conditioners and refrigerators, an industry expert said

Peak power demand hits season's new high of nearly 240 GW on Friday

India's peak power demand hit the season's new high of 239.96 GW on Friday, due to soaring mercury levels in various parts of the country, which compelled excessive use of cooling appliances like air conditioners and coolers. As per power ministry data, the peak power demand met or the highest supply in the day, was recorded at 239.96 GW on Friday, which is the maximum so far in the summer season this year. On Thursday, it was 236.59 GW, while on Wednesday, the peak power demand was at 235.06 GW, as per power ministry data. The all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023. The record is expected to be broken during this summer season. Earlier this month, the power ministry projected a peak power demand of 235 GW during daytime and 225 GW during evening hours for May and 240 GW during daytime and 235 GW during evening hours for June 2024. Industry experts are of the view that power demand is already around 240 GW level in May, which was projected for

India heat waves linked to climate change cause massive food waste

India wastes more food than almost any other country partly because of spotty refrigeration. Climate change is making the problem worse

Heatwave persists in large parts of India, Barmer sizzles at 48.8 degrees C

Large parts of India sweltered under a heat wave for the seventh day on the trot on Thursday, with the mercury soaring to 48.8 degrees Celsius in Rajasthan's Barmer, the highest temperature recorded in the country this year so far. Official data showed that at least 16 places in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh recorded maximum temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius or above on Thursday. The brutal heat wave will continue for at least five more days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. In Rajasthan, Churu logged a high of 47.4 degrees Celsius, Phalodi 47.8 degrees, and Jaisalmer 47.2 degrees. Maximum temperatures settled at 46.6 degrees in Madhya Pradesh's Guna, 45.9 degrees in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, 45 degrees in Uttar Pradesh's Orai, 45.4 degrees each in Punjab's Bathinda and Haryana's Sirsa. However, in Delhi, the maximum temperature dipped slightly on Thursday but remained around a notch above the normal for this time of the year. Th

News updates: 1 killed, a couple injured in Kashmir twin attacks ahead of polling

From Swati Maliwal's assault case to the raging heat wave in North India, catch all the latest updates from around the world here

Delhi sees hottest day of season at 42.5 deg Celsius; IMD sounds red alert

The national capital on Saturday recorded the this season's hottest day so far with the mercury reaching 43.7 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said and issued a 'red alert' predicting severe heat in many parts of the city over the next two days. Mungeshpur recorded the highest maximum temperature in they city at 46.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Najafgarh noting 46.7 degrees Celsius, Pitampura 46.2 degrees Celsius, Pusa 46 degrees Celsius, Aya Nagar 45.2 degrees Celsius, and Palam 44.2 degrees Celsius. Delhi's base weather station at Safdarjung recorded a high of 43.7 degrees Celsius, which was more than three notches above the season's normal and the highest maximum temperature this season so far. The weather office predicted heat wave conditions in many parts of Delhi and sounded a red alert. The department has also forecast a partly cloudy sky with strong surface winds at a speed of 25 to 35 kmph. Mentioned the impact of the heat wave in its seven-day .

Delhi's Najafgarh registers 47.4 degrees Celsius on Fri, hottest in country

The national capital on Saturday morning recorded a minimum temperature of 27.1 degrees Celsius, 0.6 notch above the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). On Friday, Delhi witnessed 47.4 degrees Celsius in Najafgarh, making it the hottest place in the country. The weather department has predicted partly cloudy sky, heatwave and strong surface wind during the day. The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 44 degrees Celsius. Heatwave conditions occur when the maximum temperature is 4.5 degrees or more above the normal temperature, reaching at least 45 degrees Celsius, according to the Met department. The humidity level was 39 per cent at 8.30 am. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded in the 'poor' category with a reading of 248 at 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401

Climate change may impact people with brain conditions: Lancet study

Climate change is likely to negatively affect the health of people suffering from brain conditions such as migraine and Alzheimer's, new research published in The Lancet Neurology journal has found. Extreme temperatures, both low and high, and greater changes over the course of the day -- driven by climate change -- were shown to have an impact on brain diseases, explained lead researcher Sanjay Sisodiya from the University of College London's Institute of Neurology, UK. "Night-time temperatures may be particularly important as higher temperatures through the night can disrupt sleep. Poor sleep is known to aggravate a number of brain conditions," he said. The study, reviewing 332 papers published from around the world between 1968 and 2023, looked at 19 different nervous system conditions, including stroke, migraine, Alzheimer's, meningitis, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. The researchers found an increased number of admissions, disabilities or deaths resulting from a stroke due t

Climate change likely to intensify India heat wave, says scientists

Night-time temperatures are unlikely to fall below 34 degree celcius for the period, making this event 'particularly alarming'

Fatal heat waves are testing India's ability to protect 1.4 billion people

Attempts in Kolkata and across India to improve resilience to extreme heat have often been equally ill-conceived, despite a death toll estimated at more than 24,000 since 1992

Recharge zones to cool clothing: Indian companies' summer strategies

Several firms are stepping up to help their workforce cope with soaring temperatures

Delhi records hottest day of year so far as temperature touches 41.1 deg C

This significant uptick in temperature, surpassing the seasonal average by two notches, sets a new benchmark for the national capital this summer

Indians prepare for summer travel despite heat waves, soaring fares: Report

IMD expects May 2024 to record a higher than normal number of heat wave days in various parts of the country

APSDMA forecasts heat waves for 227 mandals in Andhra Pradesh today

Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director R Kurmanadh said 227 mandals in the state are expected to experience heat waves on Saturday. Of the 227 mandals, 58 of them would experience severe heat waves, while 169 are expected to witness heat waves, he said. "Severe heat waves have been forecast for 12 mandals in Srikakulam district, Vizianagaram (23 mandals), Parvatipuram Manyam (14), Visakhapatnam (one) and Anakapalli (eight)," he said in a press release on Friday. Heat waves are predicted in 13 mandals in Srikakulam district, Vizianagaram (three mandals) and one each in Parvatipuram Manyam, Nellore, Sri Satyasai, West Godavari and Annamayya. Similarly, Alluri Sitaramaraju and Krishna (nine each), Visakhapatnam (two), Anakapalli (10), Konaseema and Tirupati (five each), Kakinada (17), East Godavari (four), Eluru (11), NTR (six), Guntur (14) and Palnadu (22) are to witness heat waves. Heat waves have also been forecast for three mandals in Bapatl