India is far from being the only country to face extreme heat this year.
India is predicting a severe heatwave in many parts of the country in May, which could overwhelm the power network, damage the economy and put people’s lives at risk.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the monthly maximum temperature is expected to be above normal over east-central and eastern regions. Parts of Northeast India will also see warm weather.
The South Asian country is facing severe heatwaves in 2022 after a record-breaking summer that caused widespread suffering and affected global wheat supplies. Businesses and traders are now taking inclement weather into account in their investment decisions as the frequency of such events is increasing.
When people turn on their air conditioners and fans, heat waves trigger spikes in electricity use, putting more strain on the power grid and increasing the risk of blackouts. For the millions of people in the world’s most populous country who work hard outside, without adequate protection, the heat damages productivity and can even be fatal.
Temperature isn’t the only factor that makes heat waves dangerous. Humidity can also be fatal when the human body is unable to cool itself by sweating.
India is far from being the only country to face extreme heat this year. Temperatures are rising in Thailand and Bangladesh, while China’s Yunnan province is battling drought.
The weather office said temperatures are likely to be below normal in parts of northwest and west-central India in May.
It predicted that El Niño could develop during the upcoming monsoon season, a weather pattern associated with dry conditions and less rainfall in India. However, this could be offset by positive Indian Ocean Dipole conditions which are also likely to develop and bring more Monsoon rains.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)