Unusually early heatwaves in India: Tipping Point

Tipping Point: Unusually early heatwaves in India

| Video Credit:
The Hindu

India recorded its warmest February this year in the last 124 years. March is looking even worse, as the India Meteorological Department has already warned about an unusually warm month with quite a few heatwave days.

Heatwaves in India typically occur between March and June, but the peak month for heatwaves is May. This is why March feels like it is still a little too early to be worrying about heatwaves.

The cause for concern though goes beyond this period. IMD already issued a few heatwave warnings in February – on February 27 and 28, IMD predicted heatwave conditions over isolated parts of Konkan coast, Goa, and coastal Karnataka. Heatwaves also increase the electricity demand, and most of India’s power still comes from coal which is a source of greenhouse gas emissions.

We also look at layoffs at the U.S. NOAA by the Trump administration, India-EU collaboration, and the latest IPCC meeting in China.

Presentation: Priyali Prakash

Videography and editing: Zeeshan Akhtar