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Fig 1 : Shows the Humidity levels of April last year and comparison with this year
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) cautions that India’s summer has been unusually hot this year and will stay that way until June 2024.Let’s have a look at why it has caused, the main reasons are
Urban Heat Island Effect: Cities tend to trap heat more efficiently than rural areas due to the abundance of buildings, roads, and concrete surfaces. This phenomenon, known as the urban heat island effect, can elevate temperatures in urban areas, leading to higher rates of evaporation from water bodies like rivers, lakes, and ponds. As a result, the air becomes more saturated with moisture, leading to an increase in relative humidity.
Climate Change: Climate change can exacerbate humidity levels in cities by altering weather patterns and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Rising global temperatures contribute to higher rates of evaporation, leading to elevated moisture levels in the atmosphere and more frequent occurrences of humid conditions in urban areas.
Impact of Relative Humidity on Human Comfort and Health
Relative humidity (RH) plays a crucial role in shaping our daily experiences and overall well-being. With its ability to influence human comfort and health, understanding the impact of relative humidity is essential.
High levels of relative humidity can impede the body’s natural cooling mechanism, leading to discomfort and potential health risks. In humid conditions, sweat evaporates more slowly from the skin, making individuals feel hotter than the actual temperature. This can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, particularly during hot summer months.
Average rise in the humidity with temperature seen visibly and considerable reduction in the precipitation too constitutes to the rainfall reduction which eventually caused the rise in temperatures.
KSDMA Heat Wave Action plan
In this context, the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has developed Heat Wave Action Plan 2023 for Karnataka. The action plan aims to provide a framework for implementing heat response activities in a coordinated manner and facilitate the stakeholders by providing insight into various aspects related to heat risk reduction and coordination among various departments, individuals and communities for mitigating the impacts of the heat wave. Mass public awareness through electronic and print media has been accepted as the key to tackling heat waves.
Urban Heat Island Effect: Cities tend to trap heat more efficiently than rural areas due to the abundance of buildings, roads, and concrete surfaces. This phenomenon, known as the urban heat island effect, can elevate temperatures in urban areas, leading to higher rates of evaporation from water bodies like rivers, lakes, and ponds. As a result, the air becomes more saturated with moisture, leading to an increase in relative humidity.
Climate Change: Climate change can exacerbate humidity levels in cities by altering weather patterns and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Rising global temperatures contribute to higher rates of evaporation, leading to elevated moisture levels in the atmosphere and more frequent occurrences of humid conditions in urban areas.
Impact of Relative Humidity on Human Comfort and Health
Relative humidity (RH) plays a crucial role in shaping our daily experiences and overall well-being. With its ability to influence human comfort and health, understanding the impact of relative humidity is essential.
High levels of relative humidity can impede the body’s natural cooling mechanism, leading to discomfort and potential health risks. In humid conditions, sweat evaporates more slowly from the skin, making individuals feel hotter than the actual temperature. This can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, particularly during hot summer months.
Average rise in the humidity with temperature seen visibly and considerable reduction in the precipitation too constitutes to the rainfall reduction which eventually caused the rise in temperatures.
KSDMA Heat Wave Action plan
In this context, the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has developed Heat Wave Action Plan 2023 for Karnataka. The action plan aims to provide a framework for implementing heat response activities in a coordinated manner and facilitate the stakeholders by providing insight into various aspects related to heat risk reduction and coordination among various departments, individuals and communities for mitigating the impacts of the heat wave. Mass public awareness through electronic and print media has been accepted as the key to tackling heat waves.
