Page 2 - Heatwaves

SC seeks Centre's response on 700 heatwave deaths, calls for urgent action

The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a plea over 700 heatwave deaths, urging urgent action to enforce disaster guidelines amid rising climate risks

India's nights are heating up faster than days, 76% population at risk

A new national study finds night-time temperatures rising faster than daytime highs in 70% of districts, exposing millions to prolonged, dangerous levels of heat stress

Delhi's power demand peaks at 7,401 MW as scorching heat continues

Amid the prevailing hot and humid weather, the national capital's power demand clocked at 7,401 MW on Tuesday afternoon, the highest for the summer season, so far, discom officials said. The State Load Dispatch Centre Delhi's real-time data showed the peak demand was 7,401 MW at 3:11 pm. BSES discoms - BRPL and BYPL "successfully" met the peak power demand of 3,285 MW and 1,559 MW, respectively, on the day, said a company spokesperson. The BSES discoms were prepared to handle the growing power demand in the city, aided by over 2,100 MW of green power during' summer months, he added. "BSES discoms are geared-up to ensure reliable power supply to meet the power demand of more than 50 lakh consumers in South, West, East and Central Delhi, including long term power purchase agreements,banking arrangements with other states and deployment of latest technologies for predicting power demand accurately," the spokesperson said. Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited said in a statement that

3/4th of India's population at 'high' to 'very high' heat risk: CEEW

About 57 per cent of Indian districts, home to 76 per cent of India's total population, are currently at 'high' to 'very high' heat risk, according to a new study. According to the study published on Tuesday by Delhi-based climate and energy think-tank Council on Energy Environment and Water (CEEW), the 10 states and union territories with the highest heat risk include Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It also found that the number of very warm nights has increased faster than that of very hot days in the last decade. Very warm nights and very hot days are defined as periods when minimum and maximum temperatures rise above the 95th percentile threshold, i.e., what was normal for 95 per cent of the time in the past. As part of the study, CEEW researchers developed a Heat Risk Index (HRI) for 734 districts, using 40 years of climate data (1982-2022) and satellite images to study heat trends, land use, wa

IMD issues yellow alert for rain, thunderstorms in Delhi today, AQI at 173

Residents can expect relief from the heat until May 12, with thunderstorms, rainfall, and a dip in maximum temperatures forecast

Scorching weather in North India drives rise in heat-related illnesses

Govt, hospitals preparing to make necessary arrangements to tackle increased heatwave load

Delhi to witness relief from intense heat as IMD predicts rain, AQI at 251

Light rain is predicted for the national capital on April 29, bringing some respite to residents

IMD warns of rising temperatures across Delhi-NCR, AQI remains 'poor'

The IMD has forecast a maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 21 degrees Celsius for today

Delhi braces for heatwave as temperature set to rise, AQI remains poor

The IMD has forecast a maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius for today

Delhi braces for warmer days as mercury set to rise, AQI turns 'poor'

Temperatures are likely to remain between 40 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius over the next few days

Heatwave grips North and Central India; IMD issues yellow alert till Apr 25

IMD declares a heatwave when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40 degree celsius in plains, 37 degree celsius in coastal areas, and 30 degree celsius in hilly regions

Delhi govt unveils Heat Action Plan 2025 amid soaring temperatures

Launching the plan, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said that it is a critical initiative to safeguard our citizens, especially the most vulnerable, from the escalating dangers of extreme heat

Experts seek 'right to cool', heat protection for informal sector workers

Climate experts have proposed urgent measures, including paid heat leave, free water ATMs at labour hubs and legal recognition for the 'right to cool', to protect India's informal workforce during the extreme summer months. More than 80 per cent of Delhi's workers, including street vendors, construction labourers and ragpickers, face severe health risks and income loss due to extreme heat. The women among them are disproportionately affected, the experts said. Amruta, a campaigner at Greenpeace India, highlighted that heat waves were no longer just weather events but disasters for those without shelter, water or rest spaces. A Greenpeace India report last year found that 61 per cent of street vendors lost more than 40 per cent of their daily income during extreme heat while 75 per cent lacked access to cooling infrastructure near workplaces. Hisham Mundol, chief advisor at Environmental Defense Fund - India, said informal workers bore the brunt of heat waves and rising cases of ...

Heatwave persists in Delhi, relief likely after April 19; AQI drops to 191

Parts of Delhi are likely to experience heatwave conditions midweek, with daytime temperatures ranging from 39 degree Celsius to 41 degree Celsius

Delhi hit by dust storm, flights disrupted; heatwave to return next week

A powerful dust storm hit Delhi causing disruptions and a death, as IMD warned of more storms ahead of a heatwave

IMD forecasts rain for Delhi; heatwave relief expected, AQI at 241

Delhi weather update: Light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds expected to ease Delhi's intense heat, but air quality remains in the 'poor' category with AQI at 241

North India is on the verge of an extreme heatwave, IMD issues yellow alert

In the first major heatwave of the season, IMD predicts states like Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat are expected to see temperatures above 40 degree celsius

Delhi braces for intense heat as IMD issues yellow alert, AQI turns 'poor'

A yellow alert has been issued for a heatwave on Tuesday, as residents are likely to continue facing challenging weather conditions

Heatwaves drove 1/3rd of rise in India's power demand in 2024: Report

India's electricity demand during the severe heatwave months of April to June 2024 rose by 10.4 per cent compared to the corresponding period the year before, with increased use of air conditioning contributing to nearly a third of the rise, according to a new report released on Tuesday. The sixth edition of global energy think tank Ember's Global Electricity Review also said heatwaves were responsible for almost a fifth of the increase in global electricity demand in 2024 and were the main reason behind a 1.4 per cent rise in fossil fuel-based power generation. This led to a 1.6 per cent increase in global power sector emissions, adding 223 million tonnes of carbon dioxide and pushing total emissions to a record high of 14.6 billion tonnes. Without the heat-related demand, fossil generation would have grown just 0.2 per cent, as clean energy met 96 per cent of the demand growth not caused by hotter temperatures, said the report. In India, electricity demand during April-September

IMD issues heatwave alerts as temperature set to touch 42 degrees Celsius

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for a heatwave in the capital on April 8 and 9