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Tamil Nadu notifies heatwaves as ‘state disaster’
Context
The Tamil Nadu government has gazette notified heat waves as a state-specific disaster, which will allow it to provide relief for the affected population under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). With the declaration, families of heat wave victims would get Rs 4 lakh relief.
About Heat Wave
- Heat wave is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to human body when exposed.
- Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal.
- For declaring a heat wave, the temperature should be 4.5 °C above normal for that time in a region.
- The criteria for the coastal station maximum temperature should be greater than or equal to 37 °C.
- Impact of Heat Waves over different sectors
- Health effects: Hyperthermia, also known as heat stroke, becomes common during periods of sustained high temperature and humidity.
- Mortality: Heatwaves have killed more than 17,000 people in 50 years in India, according to a research study by IMD scientists.
- Crop losses: heat waves and excessive heating impact the standing crops of the regions, as they are not immune to more heat at that time of the year.
- Psychological and sociological effects: In addition to physical stress, excessive heat causes psychological stress, to a degree which affects performance, and is also associated with an increase in violent crime.
- Increase in surface ozone: ozone pollution in urban areas is especially concerning with increasing temperatures, raising heat-related mortality during heat waves. During heat waves in urban areas, ground-level ozone pollution can be 20% higher than usual.
- Lead to wildfires: If a heat wave occurs during a drought, which dries out vegetation, it can contribute to bushfires and wildfires.
- Power outages: Heat waves often lead to electricity spikes due to increased air conditioning use, which can create power outages, exacerbating the problem.
Fact Box: ‘Notified Disasters’
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