Wednesday, April 23News That Matters

Climate Actions

India Endures Record Heatwave as IMD Predicts ‘Above Normal’ Monsoon and its relation with Economy

India Endures Record Heatwave as IMD Predicts ‘Above Normal’ Monsoon and its relation with Economy

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Opinions, Thoughts & Talks
In a significant development, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted 'above normal' monsoon rainfall for the country, particularly in the monsoon core zone crucial for rain-fed agriculture. This forecast comes amid an extreme heatwave that has gripped several parts of India, including Rajasthan's Phalodi, which recently recorded a blistering 50 degrees Celsius. This is the highest temperature recorded since June 1, 2019, when Churu, also in Rajasthan, reached 50.8 degrees Celsius. The scorching temperatures have turned daily life into a test of endurance, especially for those participating in the ongoing elections. In Delhi, the IMD has issued a red alert as Mungeshpur baked at 48.3 degrees Celsius, with the feel-like heat touching 49 degrees. The heatwave alert has bee...
Study Links the Heatwaves to Increase in Early Births of Babies

Study Links the Heatwaves to Increase in Early Births of Babies

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
A new study examining 53 million births over 25 years in the United States has found that early births become slightly more frequent during hotter, longer heatwaves. The study, conducted by University of Nevada epidemiologist Lyndsey Darrow and colleagues, analyzed national birth records between 1993 and 2017 across the 50 most populous metropolitan areas in the US. The research reveals that pregnant individuals, along with newborns and infants, are particularly sensitive to extreme heat, as they cannot cool themselves down as effectively as others. This vulnerability is similar to that seen in the elderly. As heatwaves in the US have become 24 percent more intense and are occurring twice as often as in the 1960s, the researchers found a small increase in daily rates of preterm births (...
Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf Calves Massive Iceberg A-83, Signals Ongoing Environmental Shift

Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf Calves Massive Iceberg A-83, Signals Ongoing Environmental Shift

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
On May 20th, 2024, Antarctica witnessed yet another significant iceberg calving event as a massive iceberg measuring 380 square kilometers (approximately 147 square miles) broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf. This event, designated A-83 by the U.S. National Ice Center, marks the third major iceberg calving in the region within the past four years. The separation of iceberg A-83 was captured by two Earth Observation satellites: the European Space Agency's Copernicus Sentinel-1 and NASA's Landsat 8 satellites. These satellites provided radar imaging and thermal data, respectively, allowing scientists to monitor the effects of climate change on remote regions like Antarctica. Routine monitoring of ice shelves by satellites enables scientists to track changes in ice dynamics and structura...
Remal Cyclone Movement Update: Severe Cyclonic Storm “Remal” Over North Bay of Bengal

Remal Cyclone Movement Update: Severe Cyclonic Storm “Remal” Over North Bay of Bengal

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
The Severe Cyclonic Storm "Remal" (pronounced as "Re-Mal") over the North Bay of Bengal has intensified significantly. As of 0830 hrs IST today, May 26, 2024, the cyclone was centered near latitude 19.8°N and longitude 89.3°E. It is positioned approximately 260 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 310 km south of Mongla (Bangladesh), 240 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), and 280 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal). The storm is currently moving northward at a speed of 7 kmph, with maximum sustained winds of 90-100 kmph gusting up to 110 kmph. Forecast and Expected Impact Movement and Landfall: Remal is expected to continue its northward trajectory, intensifying further. It is predicted to make landfall between Sagar Island (India) and Khepupara ...
Why people should never take Pebbles from Coastal Beach or side space form Rivers: Scientist suggest with scientific reasoning

Why people should never take Pebbles from Coastal Beach or side space form Rivers: Scientist suggest with scientific reasoning

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations
Cumberland Council in northern England has announced new measures to protect its beaches, imposing fines of up to £1,000 on individuals caught removing pebbles. This decision, while frustrating to some beachgoers, is essential for preventing coastal erosion and maintaining natural habitats, as research has shown. For many, visiting the beach evokes joyful childhood memories, where collecting pebbles as souvenirs seemed harmless. However, these pebbles play a critical role in providing habitats for various creatures and offering natural protection for homes and infrastructure from the sea. While many might have taken the odd pebble or even bags of them for garden rockeries, the removal of beach materials is illegal in the UK. This law, established under the 1949 Coastal Protection Act...
Climate Change Vs Intense Heatwave: Rising Temperatures and Intense Heat Index Explained

Climate Change Vs Intense Heatwave: Rising Temperatures and Intense Heat Index Explained

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Opinions
The heat in Delhi is becoming increasingly unbearable. On May 23, 2024, the temperature reached 41 degrees Celsius, but it felt like a scorching 50 degrees Celsius. In the coming days, the perceived heat may rise to an astonishing 56 degrees Celsius. Despite being just one degree above the normal temperature, the heat feels extraordinarily intense. Recent data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) shows a discrepancy between recorded temperatures and the heat people actually feel. This is backed by a recent study indicating that the temperatures tolerated by Indian citizens already exceed the set limits. Why Does the Heat Feel More Intense? The sensation of intense heat is not solely due to high air temperatures. Humidity plays a significant role in how hot it feels. The...
How Climate Change Escalating Risk of Extreme Heat stress Amid National Elections in India

How Climate Change Escalating Risk of Extreme Heat stress Amid National Elections in India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Opinions, Thoughts & Talks
India is experiencing searing heat earlier than usual for the third consecutive summer, with extensive regions suffering from humid conditions. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency, duration, and severity of heatwaves, potentially endangering more than a billion lives. As national elections progress, the impact of this heatwave is more acute compared to 2023, the hottest year on record. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted an unusually high number of heatwave days from April to June. Defining Heatwaves and New Indices There is no global standard for defining heatwaves, but the IMD considers temperatures above 40°C in low-lying areas or 30°C in mountainous regions as heatwave conditions. The IMD has introduced a Heat Index that factors in ...
IMD Issues ‘Red’ Alert in Two Districts, High Wave Warning – Key Updates

IMD Issues ‘Red’ Alert in Two Districts, High Wave Warning – Key Updates

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Four people lost their lives in Kerala on Wednesday due to rain-related incidents as the state experienced torrential downpours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'red' alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts for Thursday. An 'orange' alert has been declared in other districts. Here are the latest updates: The IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas of Kerala on May 24 and May 25, with thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning likely from May 23 to May 26. High waves between 0.4 to 3.3 meters are expected along Kerala's coast from Vizhinjam to Kasaragod until Thursday night. On Wednesday, a 'red' alert was issued in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki. An 'orange' alert was issu...
IMD Issues Red Alert as Heatwave Intensifies in Northern India

IMD Issues Red Alert as Heatwave Intensifies in Northern India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'red alert' for several northern states, predicting that maximum daytime temperatures in districts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and West Uttar Pradesh could breach the 47°C mark over the next five days. Senior IMD scientist Naresh Kumar, speaking to our reporters, stated, "Temperatures are currently above normal across North West India, and we had issued a red alert for the region over the past 2-3 days. In Rajasthan, the maximum temperature is likely to inch further up from 45°C and settle at 47°C." The IMD's forecast indicates a marginal drop in temperatures in Punjab and Haryana due to a prevailing western disturbance, but these are expected to increase gradually by 2 to 3 degrees. Additionally, an orange ...
Heatwave and Heavy Rainfall Alerts Across India major states IMD Issues Severe Warnings

Heatwave and Heavy Rainfall Alerts Across India major states IMD Issues Severe Warnings

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Amid rising temperatures in North India, the national capital Delhi recorded a scorching maximum temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius, the highest in the country on Monday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued severe heatwave alerts for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Chandigarh, forecasting that these conditions will persist for the next five days. North India Swelters Under Intense Heat Delhi's peak power demand surged to a record high for May due to the extreme heat. In response, the Delhi government has mandated immediate commencement of summer vacations for all private and government-aided schools. The Directorate of Education has declared summer break from May 11 to June 30 for this academic year. In Himachal Pradesh, the State Education Department has adjusted sc...