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Environment & Climate Change
‘Oppressive Heatwaves’ to Surge: IIT-Bombay & ETH Zurich Study Warns of Severe Health Risks ☀️💧
A recent joint study by IIT-Bombay and ETH Zurich has spotlighted a concerning climate trend — the rise of ‘oppressive heatwaves’ in India. These events, marked by extreme heat coupled with high humidity, could escalate sharply due to global warming, significantly impacting human health.
🔥 What Is a Heatwave?
- Defined by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) as three consecutive days of abnormally high temperatures.
- Thresholds:
- Plains: >45°C
- Hilly Regions: >40°C
🧪 Types of Heatwaves
| Type | Characteristics | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme | High temp + low humidity | Moderate |
| Oppressive 🌡️💦 | High temp + high humidity | Severe ⚠️ |
💡 Oppressive heatwaves intensify the body’s inability to cool down via sweating, leading to heat stress.
📊 Insights from Historical Data (1951–2013)
- Used IMD and global datasets on temperature and humidity.
- Studied heatwave-linked deaths between 1967–2007.
- Found strong correlation between oppressive heatwaves and increased mortality.
🔮 What the Future Holds
📈 Projected Surge by 2100
Based on two warming scenarios:
| Global Warming Level | Increase in Oppressive Heatwave Days |
|---|---|
| +1.5°C | 🔺 5 times more |
| +2.0°C | 🔺 8 times more |
🏥 Health Implications
- Spike in heatstroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular stress
- Elderly, outdoor workers, and children are especially vulnerable
- Urgent heat adaptation plans (e.g., cool shelters, early warning systems) needed
🌍 The Climate Connection
✅ Limiting warming to 1.5°C could:
- ⬇️ Oppressive heatwaves by 44%
- ⬇️ Extreme heatwaves by 25%
📢 This underscores the critical importance of global and national climate action to protect communities from worsening heat risks.
🌡️ India’s climate resilience hinges not just on forecasting heatwaves but on robust public health infrastructure and climate policy.
