Northwest, Central, South-Central India New Heatwave Hotspots, Says Study

A study identifies India's three heatwave hotspot regions, highlighting the need for developing effective heat action plans in these vulnerable areas.

Northwestern, central and south-central India are new hotspots of intense heatwave over the past 50 years, a study has said. The study also highlights the need for developing effective heat action plans in the three heatwave hotspot regions with a focus on different vulnerabilities among the inhabitants. Heatwaves have emerged as a deadly health hazard, claiming thousands of lives across the globe in recent decades, with episodes strengthening in frequency, intensity and duration in the past half-century in India as well. This has caused severe impact on health, agriculture, economy and infrastructure. In such a scenario, it is extremely important to identify the most heatwave vulnerable regions of the country to prioritise immediate policy intervention and stringent mitigation and adaptation strategies, the Department of Science and Technology said.