
Rising Temperatures in India’s Metro Cities Understanding the Urban Heat Island Effect
As the calendar flips to May, India's major metropolitan cities are experiencing a surge in temperatures, with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru all recording high mercury levels. The phenomenon is not merely a seasonal shift but is closely linked to the urban heat island effect, significantly impacting urban environments.
The urban heat island effect describes a situation where urban areas exhibit higher temperatures compared to their rural surroundings. This disparity arises primarily due to human activities and the infrastructure in cities, which absorb and retain heat more efficiently than natural landscapes.
Causes and Effects
Urban areas, with their abundance of concrete and asphalt, absorb heat during the day and release it slowly, leading to elevated temperatures, pa...