IMD (the India Meteorological Department) predicts a scorching heatwave in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana for the next five days, without relief from the relentless heat. On Monday, Delhi’s temperature is expected to reach a scorching 44 degrees Celsius, exceeding yesterday’s record of 44 degrees.
The primary cause of heatwaves is climate change, resulting from carbon emissions. To minimise carbon emissions, the replacement of fossil fuel with renewable energy (solar, wind etc) sources will work best. Solar energy is a clean, cost-effective and sustainable alternative, that can generate electricity with less harmful emissions. Transitioning to it could reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, then less carbon emission followed by minimal rise in global temperature and has the potential to reduce the intensity of heat waves.
The Indian government has been pioneering renewable energy to overcome climate change. In the past several years India has shown incredible growth in RE and its total renewable capacity is 144.75 GW of which Solar and wind energy hold 89%. This record proves India’s leading role in adopting renewable energy. The government has set a target by 2032 to generate 500 GW of electricity from renewable sources
The latest, IMD bulletin issued today warns that heatwave will also prevail in some other areas of the country. Rajasthan will be in a scorching heatwave from Tuesday to Friday as per reports and in some parts of Uttar Pradesh on Monday and Tuesday. Meanwhile, heatwaves have also been predicted for parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and the hill states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
At the same time, On Sunday, 19 May 29024 eight states crossed 47 degrees Celsius with Najafgarh in Delhi recording the highest record of 47.8 degrees for the second time in the country for the past three days. Sriganganagar and Anta, an area in Rajasthan with the highest temperature of 46.7 degrees Celsius was recorded while Nuh in Haryana was the hottest at a blistering high of 47.2 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, Chandigarh recorded a high of 44.2 degrees Celsius and Faridkot was the hottest in Punjab at 44 degrees Celsius, followed by Amritsar with 43.9 degrees.
Madhya Pradesh’s Datia recorded 47.5 degrees, meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh,Agra the temperature was 47.7 degrees and Jhansi saw a record of 47.2 degrees.
IMD has expressed concern about heat waves, which can be dangerous, and thus residents are advised to wear light and loose-fitting clothing, keep the skin cool by using a spray bottle and take cool showers. It is recommended to stay hydrated during the crucial hours of heatwaves and avoid outdoor activities if possible.
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