Category: Environment

Delhi sees hottest day this summer as mercury crosses 40°C mark

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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As summer tightens its grip, Delhi witnessed scorching temperatures today, April 26, surpassing the 40-degree Celsius threshold for the first time this season. The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s primary weather monitoring station, recorded a sweltering maximum temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius, marking the highest reading of the year thus far.

Delhi records the highest #temperature of this year, crossing the 40-degree mark first time this season. Safdarjung Observatory records a maximum of 40.5 degrees. #Skymet #Forecast #Delhi

— Skymet (@SkymetWeather) April 26, 2024

Adding to the concerns, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a dire warning, declaring 2023 as the warmest year on record and projecting that 2024 will surpass it in terms of temperature. IMD forecasts indicate a further intensification of rising temperatures, particularly in North and Central India, with the onset of May.

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2023 was warmest year on record, say IMD, 2024 is going to be warmer

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stark warning, indicating that 2023 was the warmest year on record, and 2024 is set to surpass it in terms of temperature.

According to IMD, the rising temperatures are expected to intensify by May, leading to severe heatwaves, particularly in North and Central India. This forecast is based on the positioning of the sun, which is expected to exacerbate the heat in these regions.

In addition to the soaring temperatures, IMD has also raised concerns regarding rainfall patterns. The meteorological department has noted that rainfall in certain areas has been insufficient to replenish water levels in reservoirs.

Earlier on April 23, the IMD said that heat wave to severe heat wave conditions were likely to continue over eastern India, and a heat wave is likely over parts of south peninsular India until April 28. The Met department also said heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds is likely at isolated places over northeast India on April 23 and 24.

The IMD also said heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are expected in some parts of Gangetic West Bengal and parts of Odisha, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It also added that heat wave conditions have prevailed in Odisha since April 15 and over Gangetic West Bengal since April 17.

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Over 100 pilot whales beached on western Australian coast have been rescued, researcher says

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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More than 100 long-finned pilot whales that beached on the western Australian coast on Thursday April 25 have returned to sea, while 31 died on the shore, a whale researcher said.

Researcher Ian Wiese joined hundreds of volunteers who helped rescue the whales at Toby’s Inlet near the tourist town of Dunsborough.

“There were well over 200 along the beach here and just nearby and there’s 31, I think, deceased but the rest got away, which is an amazing story,” Wiese told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

“When I first arrived, there was, I think, 160 in the water — almost out of the water — and there were a couple of hundred people who were with the whales, they were trying to comfort them and make sure that their heads were out of the water so they could breathe. And then after an hour or so, all of a sudden the ones that were in the water that were still alive left and went out to sea,” Wiese said.

“They may well decide to come back to shore somewhere on another beach nearby or something — that often happens, but we’re hopeful that they won’t,” Wiese added.

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The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has yet to confirm the rescues.

A team of wildlife officers, marine scientists and veterinarians had earlier reached the scene and reported 26 dead among up to 160 stranded.

At that time, an additional 20 whales were in a pod about 1.5 kilometers (almost a mile) offshore and 110 whales formed a pod closer to the beach, the department said.

Regional wildlife officer Pia Courtis said the pod of 110 whales was “sticking together offshore” and was likely to come toward the beach.

“Unfortunately the outcome for our pilot whales once they strand on the beach is generally not good. We have high numbers of animals that end up dying,” Courtis said.

In July, almost 100 long-finned pilot whales died or were euthanised after a two-day rescue attempt in a mass stranding on Cheynes Beach near the former whaling station of Albany, 355 kilometers (220 miles) southeast of Dunsborough.

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Dunsborough is 285 kilometers (177 miles) by road south of Perth, Western Australia state’s capital and largest city.

Based on previous stranding’s, including the 2023 Cheynes Beach event, euthanising the beached whales is usually the most humane outcome, the department said in a statement.

“We always hope for the best outcome,” the statement said.

Wiese said on Thursday that was the third mass stranding he had responded to and the result was by far the best.

“It’s been a very good story today because normally with these sorts of stranding’s, you wind up with a 100 whales beaching and five or six being saved,” Wiese said.

Courtis said the whales were believed to have become stranded early Thursday.

The dead whales were dragged from the water so that their carcasses didn’t attract sharks.

Dunsborough was the scene of a mass stranding of 320 long-finned pilot whales in 1996. Only 20 died on that occasion, with rescuers returning the rest to sea.

Scientists don’t know what causes whales to strand, although it appears their location systems can be confused by gently sloping, sandy beaches.

Theories include that they are avoiding predators such as killer whales, or following a sick leader ashore. Human-made undersea noise could also interfere with their navigation.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

IMD issues a heatwave alert for Mumbai, Raigad and Thane districts

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for Maharashtra’s Thane, Raigad districts and parts of Mumbai from April 27 to 29.

IMD scientist Sushma Nair on Wednesday said there is an anti-cyclonic circulation over Thane, Raigad and parts of Mumbai which will lead to a rise in temperature.

The temperatures are likely to peak on April 27 and 28.

This is the second heatwave alert issued for Mumbai and neighbouring region this month.

On April 15 and 16, Mumbai and its neighbouring areas had witnessed severe hot weather and temperatures in parts of Navi Mumbai reached 41 degrees Celsius.

The IMD had advised people to avoid prolonged heat exposure, drink sufficient water and stay hydrated, wear light coloured, loose and cotton clothes, cover head or use wet cloth or hat or umbrella while going out during afternoon hours, and schedule strenuous jobs during cooler times of the day.

Heatwave to continue in southern West Bengal

Heatwave conditions prevailing in southern West Bengal will continue till at least Sunday with a further rise in maximum temperatures, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, offering no respite for the denizens from the searing heat.

The severe weather conditions in the southern and western districts of West Bengal, caused by dry westerly winds and strong solar insolation, have caused the state government to reschedule summer holidays in schools run or aided by it, while many private educational institutions have either switched to online classes or changed their timings.

The MeT department forecast a gradual rise in the maximum temperature by two to four degrees Celsius over the next three days and no large change thereafter in the subsequent two days over south Bengal.

It said that severe heatwave conditions will prevail in the districts of south Bengal.

The MeT department advised people to avoid prolonged heat exposure and outdoor work between 11 am and 4 pm.

Panagarh in Paschim Bardhaman district recorded Wednesday’s highest temperature in West Bengal at 42.7 degrees Celsius, while Medinipur closely followed at 42.5 degrees Celsius, it said.

The mercury went up to 40.5 degrees Celsius in Kolkata, while neighbouring Salt Lake clocked 40.8 degrees Celsius, the Met said.

Other places that recorded over 40 degrees Celsius temperatures were Bankura (42.2), Bardhaman (42), Barrackpore (41.7), Canning (41.4), Diamond Harbour (41.2) and Asansol (41.1), the Met data said.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Light rainfall in Delhi brings relief from heatwave; IMD issues advisory

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Delhi welcomed a refreshing change in weather on Tuesday (April 23) evening as light rainfall brought relief from the persistent heatwave. Parts of Delhi and nearby areas of NCR experienced light rain and strong gusty winds after days of warm weather.

The sudden shift in weather, with the maximum temperature settling at 36.8 degrees Celsius, brought much-needed respite.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an advisory, warning of potential damage to plantations, horticulture, and standing crops due to strong winds, while vulnerable structures and kutcha houses may suffer minor damage. Residents were advised to stay indoors, secure windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel.

Earlier in the day, the weather department had forecast a dust storm followed by a thunderstorm with rain and gusty winds, at speeds ranging from 40-70 kmph, expected to occur over Delhi and adjoining areas.

Also Read: Severe heat wave conditions to continue over eastern India, forecasts IMD

During the day, the relative humidity ranged between 28-66%.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 22.6 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year, with the maximum temperature likely to settle around 38 degrees Celsius.

Wednesday’s forecast predicts partly cloudy skies with strong winds during the day, and maximum and minimum temperatures expected to be around 37 and 23 degrees Celsius, respectively.

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Asia warming faster than global average, world’s most disaster-prone region in 2023: Report

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Asia continued to bear the brunt of weather, climate and water-related hazards and remained the world’s most disaster-hit region in 2023, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said.

While floods and storms have led to the highest number of reported casualties and economic losses, the impact of heatwaves, on the other hand, has intensified, according to the WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report.

It states that the sea-surface temperatures in the northwest Pacific Ocean have hit record highs, while the Arctic Ocean has experienced a marine heat wave.

Asia is “warming faster than the global average,” it stated and added that the warming trend has almost doubled since the 1961–1990 period.

“The report’s conclusions are sobering. Many countries in the region experienced their hottest year on record in 2023, along with a barrage of extreme conditions, from droughts and heatwaves to floods and storms,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said.

“Climate change exacerbated the frequency and severity of such events, profoundly impacting societies, economies, and, most importantly, human lives and the environment that we live in,” Saulo added.

The WMO report further cited the Emergency Events Database and stated that a total of 79 disasters linked with hydro-meteorological hazards struck the Asian region last year, with floods and storms accounting for more than 80% of incidents. This has resulted in over 2,000 deaths and affected as many as nine million people.

In 2023, the annual mean near-surface temperature over Asia was reported to be the second highest on record — which was 0.91 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average and 1.87 degrees above the 1961-1990 average.

In particular, high average temperatures were recorded from western Siberia to central Asia and from eastern China to Japan, the report noted.

Japan and Kazakhstan have had record warm years, it added.

Amid severe heat waves in April and June, a total of 110 fatalities were reported in India due to heatstroke.

In April and May last year, a major and prolonged heat wave affected most areas of Southeast Asia, extending as far west as Bangladesh and eastern India to the north to southern China, with record-breaking temperatures, the WMO report noted.

Below-normal precipitation was reported in parts of the Turan Lowland (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan); the Hindu Kush (Afghanistan, Pakistan); the Himalayas; around the Ganges and lower course of the Brahmaputra rivers (India and Bangladesh) among other regions.

A drought situation prevailed in southwest China as it reported below-normal precipitation levels nearly every month of 2023. Further, rains associated with the Indian Summer Monsoon were below average.

Last year, several floods and storm events in June, July and August resulted in the deaths of more than 600 people across India, Pakistan and Nepal.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall led to flooding in major parts of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen.

During August and early September, the far eastern part of the Russian Federation suffered catastrophic flooding, which WMO has called “one of the largest disasters in recent decades”. It affected about 40,000 hectares of rural land.

Of the 22 observed glaciers in the High-Mountain Asia region, 20 showed continued mass loss.

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27% identified Himalayan glacial lakes show large expansion shows satellite monitoring: ISRO

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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More than 27% of the identified glacial lakes in the Himalayas have notably expanded since 1984 and 130 of those are in India, ISRO said on Monday.

In a statement, the space agency said long-term satellite imagery covering the catchments of Indian Himalayan river basins from 1984 to 2023 indicates significant changes in glacial lakes.

“Of the 2,431 lakes larger than 10 hectares identified during 2016-17, 676 glacial lakes have notably expanded since 1984,” it said.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said 601 of the 676 lakes have expanded more than twice while 10 lakes have grown between 1.5 to two times and 65 lakes 1.5 times.

It said 130 of the 676 lakes are situated within India, with 65, seven, and 58 located in the Indus, Ganga and the Brahmaputra river basins, respectively.

An elevation-based analysis revealed that 314 lakes are located in the 4,000-5,000-metre range and 296 above 5,000 metres.

The glacial lakes are categorised based on their formation process into four broad categories — moraine-dammed (water dammed by moraine), ice-dammed (water dammed by ice), erosion (water dammed in depressions formed by erosion), and other glacial lakes.

Among the 676 expanding lakes, the majority are moraine-dammed (307), followed by erosion (265), other (96), and ice-dammed (eight) glacial lakes.

ISRO highlighted long-term changes in the Ghepang Ghat glacial lake (in the Indus basin) at an elevation of 4,068 metre in Himachal Pradesh, showing a 178% increase in size from 36.49 hectares to 101.30 hectares between 1989 and 2022. The rate of increase is about 1.96 hectares per year.

In October, at least 40 people were killed and 76 went missing in Sikkim after the South Lhonak Lake — a glacial lake situated in the state’s northwest at 17,000 feet — burst due to incessant rains.

The Himalayas, often referred to as the Third Pole because of the extensive glaciers and snow cover, are highly sensitive to changes in the global climate — both in terms of their physical characteristics and their societal impacts.

Research conducted worldwide has consistently shown that glaciers across the globe have been experiencing unprecedented rates of retreat and thinning due to human-caused climate change.

This retreat leads to the formation of new lakes and the enlargement of existing ones in the Himalayan region. These bodies of water, created by the melting of glaciers, are known as glacial lakes and play a crucial role as freshwater sources for rivers in the Himalayan region.

However, these also pose significant risks such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which can have devastating consequences for communities downstream.

GLOFs occur when glacial lakes release large volumes of meltwater due to the failure of natural dams, such as those made of moraine or ice, resulting in sudden and severe flooding downstream. These dam failures can be triggered by various factors, including avalanches of ice or rock, extreme weather events, and other environmental factors.

Monitoring and studying the occurrence and expansion of glacial lakes in the Himalayan region is challenging due to inaccessible and rugged terrain.

Satellite remote sensing technology proves to be an excellent tool for inventory and monitoring due to its wide coverage and revisit capability. Assessing long-term changes in glacial lakes is crucial for understanding glacier retreat rates, assessing GLOF risks, and gaining insights into climate change impacts, ISRO said.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow