Page 13 - Heatwave

Air pollution, heat, ambient noise linked to lower sleep quality: Study

Air pollution, heat, and high levels of carbon dioxide and ambient noise may all adversely affect our ability to get a good night's sleep, according to a study. The research, published in the journal Sleep Health, is one of the first to measure multiple environmental variables in the bedroom and analyse their associations with sleep efficiencythe time spent sleeping relative to the time available for sleep. The researchers found that in a group of 62 participants tracked for two weeks with activity monitors and sleep logs, higher bedroom levels of air pollution (particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in size or PM2.5), carbon dioxide, noise, and temperature were all linked independently to lower sleep efficiency. "These findings highlight the importance of the bedroom environment for high-quality sleep," said study lead author Mathias Basner, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, US. In addition to work and family obligations that compete with sleep for time, a quick

Economic cost of heat waves higher in India than the rest of the world

More productivity loss expected than elsewhere as temperatures rise

Temperatures soar this summer but Delhi's heat action plan not ready yet

Most parts of India are expected to see above-normal temperatures and more heatwave days this summer season but the national capital is yet to implement a heat action plan (HAP), four years after the Centre recommended it to do so. Environment Minister Gopal Rai told PTI on Tuesday that the government is "holding discussions with experts, and a heatwave action plan will be prepared if something concrete emerges". HAPs are the primary policy response to economically damaging and life-threatening heatwaves. They prescribe a number of activities, disaster responses and post-heatwave response measures to decrease the impact of heatwaves. Heatwave conditions persisted in parts of Delhi for the third consecutive day on Tuesday. Greenpeace India has also written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, urging him to publish a heat action plan by May 7 after consultations with all stakeholders. The environmental NGO said heatwaves adversely impact thousands of outdoor or construction workers, t

IMD issues heatwave warning in parts of Bihar for 2 days from Tuesday

The meteorological department has issued an 'orange' alert with a warning of severe heatwave conditions for two days from Tuesday in Patna, Banka, Jamui, Nawada, Aurangabad, Supaul and several other districts of Bihar. Besides, a yellow' warning has also been sounded in Begusarai, Nalanda, Gaya, Arwal, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Buxar, Khagaria and Munger. The meteorological department uses four colour codes - green (no action needed), yellow (watch and stay updated), orange (be prepared) and red (take action) - for weather warning. People are advised to avoid heat exposure and dehydration, a senior official of the Bihar Disaster Management Department said. Heatwave conditions are expected to prevail in Patna, Banka, Jamui, Nawada, Aurangabad and Supaul districts in Bihar in the next two days, according to the latest weather bulletin issued by the department's Patna Centre. The mercury level crossed 43 degrees Celsius or above in Sheikhpura, Khagaria, Patna, Gaya and Dehri on ...

IMD predicts marginal heat wave conditions for next two days in Delhi-NCR

"Marginal heat wave means the temperature can go 4.5-5 degrees Celsius above normal"

LIVE: UP CM takes cognizance of Prayagraj case, calls high-level meeting

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LIVE: Delhi records 1,527 fresh Covid-19 cases, two deaths reported

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Summer vacation in Bengal schools preponed by 3 weeks due to intense heat

The summer vacation in West Bengal government-run and aided schools will begin from May 2 instead of the earlier schedule of May 24 in the wake of sweltering heat across the state, a senior official said on Wednesday. An official notification in this regard is, however, yet to be issued. "Due to the intense heat, a decision has been taken to reschedule the summer vacations. It will now start from May 2. The decision was taken on the insistence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," the official told PTI. Later, when Education Minister Bratya Basu was asked by reporters about the development, he replied in the affirmative. According to the India Meteorological Department, heat wave conditions will persist in West Bengal during the weekend. The districts of Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Medinipur, Paschim Bardhaman and Birbhum will experience hot and dry weather and the temperature may increase by 2-4 degrees, the Met Department said.

Intense, frequent heatwaves push India closer to limit of human survival

The national weather office has forecast rising temperatures in the coming weeks after India experienced its hottest February since 1901

Indian industries stock up on coal to avoid shortages during summer

The fear of disruptions to mine output when monsoon rains begin a couple of months later is also a factor

Kerala to set up water kiosks, launch awareness drive as summer approaches

With many parts of Kerala reeling under intense heat, the state government on Saturday announced a series of plans including setting up water kiosks in local bodies and busy commercial streets in anticipation of a heat wave and possible sun stroke. Cold water, butter milk and oral rehydration solution (ORS) would be kept as per requirement in these water kiosks, known as 'thanneer pandals" in local parlance, across the state. The kiosks should be kept open till May, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed in a meeting of State Disaster Management Authority which was attended by heads of various departments and district collectorates here. District-wise notification should be issued to the general public about the location of such 'thanneer pandals' and public buildings and the space provided by noble people can be used for the same, he said. Village panchayats, municipalities and corporations would be allotted Rs 2 lakh, 3 lakh and 5 lakh respectively from the Disaster Response Fu

India's wheat output dented by heatwave, could limit govt stock building

The reduction in production amid a drop in inventories to the lowest level in 6 years may force the world's second biggest producer of the grain to allow imports after banning exports last year

Met predicts above-normal temperature in March-May in upper half of country

Says average max temperature in Feb 2023 highest since 1901; wheat crop under stress

Centre sets up panel to protect wheat as farms gear up for heat wave

The states that could see a possible heatwave are in the Northwest region mostly, which is India's main food bowl plain and comprises Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh

'India could experience heatwaves that break human survivability limit'

Severe heat waves, responsible for thousands of deaths across India over the last few decades, are increasing with alarming frequency and soon the country could become one of the first places in the world to experience heat waves that break the human survivability limit, according to a new report. The World Bank report titled "Climate Investment Opportunities in India's Cooling Sector" said the country is experiencing higher temperatures that arrive earlier and stay far longer. "In April 2022, India was plunged into the grip of a punishing early spring heat wave that brought the country to a standstill, with temperatures in the capital, New Delhi, topping 46 degrees Celsius (oC) (114 degrees Fahrenheit). The month of March, which witnessed extraordinary spikes in temperatures, was the hottest ever recorded", it said. The report will be released during the two-day "India Climate and Development Partners' Meet" being organised by World Bank in partnership with the Kerala government ..

Heat waves due to climate change have cost world economy trillions so far

Massive economic losses brought on by extreme heat induced by human-driven climate change are an issue now, not only in the distant future

California to see blackouts with highest-ever demand amid brutal heat wave

California will face its highest chance of blackouts this year as a brutal heat wave continues to blanket the state with triple-digit heat, officials have warned. As people crank up their air conditioners, the state forecast record levels of energy use that could exceed supply Monday evening, said Elliot Mainzer, president of California Independent System Operators, which runs the state's electrical grid. The state could fall 2,000 to 4,000 megawatts of electricity short of its power supply, which represents as much as 10 per cent of normal demand, he said. State energy officials said the electrical load on Tuesday potentially could hit 51,000 watts, the highest demand ever seen in California. CAISO issued a Flex Alert call for voluntary conservation between 4 pm and 10 pm on Monday and for 4 pm to 10 pm Tuesday, making seven alerts in as many days. Consumers were urged to keep air conditioners at 78 degrees (25.5 degrees C) or higher during the period and avoiding using major ...

Japan experiences 2nd hottest summer on record since 2010, says report

Japan's weather agency on Saturday said the country has just experienced its second-hottest summer on record, after seeing record-breaking temperatures

IMD records drop in mercury levels, light rain in parts of Delhi today

Mercury in the national capital fell by a few notches as the minimum temperature on Tuesday settled at 24.6 degrees Celsius, even as the weather office has forecast cloudy sky with light rain later in the day. The city recorded a relative humidity of 82 per cent at 8:30 AM, according to data shared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The minimum temperature on Monday was recorded at 26.9 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature stood at 35.9 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal. Rains lashed parts of Delhi on Monday. Tuesday's minimum temperature of 24.6 degrees Celsius is two notches below normal, the IMD said. The MeT office has forecast generally cloudy sky with light rain later in the day, with the maximum temperature expected to settle around 35 degrees Celsius. The minimum and maximum temperature readings on Wednesday are likely to settle at 26 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius, respectively, according to IMD forecast. The air quality index (AQI) of D

China: Iconic Shanghai skyline goes dark as drought hits power supply

The waterfront area - known for its mix of historical and futuristic buildings - is a popular tourist destination, BBC reported.