The meteorological department has predicted a severe summer this year and this is already being experienced in many parts of…
Representational image (Photo: Getty Images
The meteorological department has predicted a severe summer this year and this is already being experienced in many parts of the subcontinent. Drought-like conditions are prevailing in south and central India and farmers are beginning to complain of lack of water and drying crops. In fact, a group of Tamil Nadu farmers are protesting at Jantar Mantar in the Capital. Wearing just a loin cloth and displaying skulls and bones, they claim belonged to dead farmers, who had committed suicide, the farmers are staging an unusual protest.
Intense heat has arrived unseasonably early across India, and no relief is expected in the near future. Weather experts have been warning for months now about the anticipated heat wave. Most of India, they have said, will see high temperatures at above 38 degrees Celcius. Central and western India are expected to experience temperatures in the range of 43-46 degrees Celcius. Dove-tailing the hot conditions will be water scarcity issues. Unfortunately, despite this early warning authorities have taken precious little measures to mitigate the problems.
No thought has been given to drought-proof the most vulnerable sections of society, particularly the rural areas and agricultural belt. There is bound to be a rise in distress signals from farmers. Already in Uttar Pradesh, farmers are clamouring for loan waiver. How the government will meet all these needs, remains to be seen.
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The combination of a widespread and long-lasting heat will also significantly raise the threat for heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration, heat-stroke or heat exhaustion. Anyone who must spend time outdoors is at risk. Hospitals and private clinics are already reporting a spurt in the number of patients complaining of these ailments. Perhaps advisories on simple preventive solutions could be given to reduce incidence of heat-related ailments.
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