Alert: Heat in Telangana to rise by 5�C

With each passing year, the Telangana state is experiencing more heat waves. A heatwave is forecast when the maximum temperature is likely to rise five degrees above normal for that month. “Heat wave has emerged as one of the major, severe weather events around the globe. Climate change is driving temperatures higher as well as increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves,” said Y.K. Reddy, director of the Indian Meteorological Department.

TS too is experiencing increased instances of heat waves every year, he added. “In the last four years there is about 1.5°C change in temperature in TS. As a result, more heat waves, also called ‘silent killers’, can be expected in the state and immediate measures to mitigate the heat risk and its associated deaths must be taken,” Mr Reddy warned.

According to the IMD’s early forecast, there is high probability of above-normal summer temperatures this year in the state. Temperatures will cross 40°C, and some 15 to 20 heatwave days are expected this summer.

The IMD and the state development and planning department held a discussion on ‘Extreme weather events with reference to heat wave over Telangana’, to chalk out a preventive action plan for the state.

Rajeshwar Tiwari, Special Chief Secretary, Revenue, and Principal Commissioner for Disaster Management, said it is necessary to focus on zero heat mortality and reduced heat-related illnesses, but also on heat wave risk reduction as climate change is driving temperatures higher, as well as increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves.

District collectors have been directed to ensure that labourers do not work during the hot hours in summer and all districts put up water distribution kiosks at public places.