Tuesday, October 14News That Matters

Tag: climate change

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...
Study Finds Microplastics in Human Testes, Raising Concerns About Male Fertility

Study Finds Microplastics in Human Testes, Raising Concerns About Male Fertility

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
A new study published in the journal Toxicological Sciences has uncovered a worrying presence of microplastics in every human testicle examined. This finding heightens concerns about the potential impact of plastic pollution on male fertility. Comprehensive Analysis of Microplastics Researchers at the University of New Mexico (UNM) conducted a detailed analysis of tissue samples from both dogs and humans. The study, led by Xiaozhong "John" Yu, MD, PhD, MPH, a professor in the UNM College of Nursing, identified 12 types of microplastics in 47 canine and 23 human testes. The results showed that microplastics were present in all samples examined. "Our study revealed the presence of microplastics in all human and canine testes," Yu stated. He emphasized the potential implications for ...
Severe Heatwave Grips Delhi: How to Protect Yourself as Temperatures Soar Above 45 Degrees

Severe Heatwave Grips Delhi: How to Protect Yourself as Temperatures Soar Above 45 Degrees

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
As a severe heatwave grips Delhi and other parts of North India, with temperatures soaring to 45-47 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert. The extreme heat poses significant health risks, including heatstroke, dehydration, and damage to vital organs. It is crucial to take preventative measures to protect oneself from the adverse effects of such high temperatures. High temperatures can overwhelm the body's natural ability to regulate its internal temperature, leading to conditions like heatstroke. Symptoms of heatstroke include high body temperature (above 40°C or 104°F), confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Without immediate medical intervention, heatstroke can be fatal. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can also damage the brain, ...
Heatwave Vs Human Body:  How Heatwaves Affect the Human Body and Mind

Heatwave Vs Human Body: How Heatwaves Affect the Human Body and Mind

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Heatwaves, characterized by prolonged periods of excessively high temperatures, are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. These extreme weather events can have profound impacts on human health, affecting both the body and mind. Understanding these effects is crucial for mitigating risks and protecting public health. Physical Health Impacts Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excessive water and salt through sweating. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headache. If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition where the body's temperature regulation fails, leading to a core body temperature above 104°F (40°C). Heatstroke can cause confusion, seizures, an...
Climate Change Worsens Symptoms of Brain Conditions, Study Finds

Climate Change Worsens Symptoms of Brain Conditions, Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
Climate change is exacerbating the symptoms of various brain conditions, according to a new review. Conditions such as stroke, migraines, meningitis, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures and humidity levels. Our brains are designed to manage environmental challenges, including temperature and humidity changes. Neurons in the brain, which function like learning, adapting computers, are sensitive to temperature variations and operate optimally within a narrow temperature range. However, climate change is pushing environmental conditions beyond these ranges, causing the brain's temperature regulation mechanisms to falter. Human bodies are generally comfortable between 20˚C to 26˚C wit...
Unexpected Winter Strikes Chile as Autumn Weather Takes a Dramatic Turn

Unexpected Winter Strikes Chile as Autumn Weather Takes a Dramatic Turn

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Chile's capital, Santiago, was in the midst of autumn when an unexpected and extreme weather event occurred, signaling the abrupt onset of winter. Within hours, temperatures plummeted, breaking a 74-year record and catching residents off guard. Climatologists, like Raul Cordero from the University of Santiago, noted that such a rapid shift in weather during the autumn season has not been witnessed since 1950, marking an unprecedented and prolonged winter season. On Thursday morning, the mercury dropped to a chilling one degree Celsius in Santiago, with snow blanketing the surrounding mountains, further emphasizing the severity of the weather anomaly. This sudden change has left scientists worldwide astonished, highlighting it as a dangerous manifestation of climate change and categorizi...
Monsoon Expected to Arrive in Kerala on May 31, Predicts IMD

Monsoon Expected to Arrive in Kerala on May 31, Predicts IMD

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted the onset of the southwest monsoon in mainland India for May 31, a day ahead of the usual schedule. This announcement holds significant implications for the country's agricultural sector, food inflation, and rural economy. The forecast suggests that this year's monsoon is likely to be "above normal" at 106% of the long-period average (LPA). The monsoon's arrival is crucial for sustaining nearly 70% of the country's rainfall between June and September. IMD's operational forecasts have been historically accurate, with last year being an exception. Experts attribute this year's forecast to the possibility of the La Nina phenomenon, which typically leads to above-average monsoon rains in India. With 51% of India's farmed area and 4...
Tree Ring Data Reveals 2023 as Hottest Northern Hemisphere Summer in 2,000 Years

Tree Ring Data Reveals 2023 as Hottest Northern Hemisphere Summer in 2,000 Years

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations
Analysis of tree ring data indicates that the Northern Hemisphere experienced its hottest summer in 2,000 years in 2023, surpassing temperatures during the height of the Roman Empire. The findings highlight the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the impact of climate change. A recent analysis of tree ring data has revealed that the Northern Hemisphere experienced its hottest summer in 2,000 years in 2023, surpassing temperatures recorded during the height of the Roman Empire. The study, conducted by environmental scientist Ulf Büntgen and his colleagues from the University of Cambridge and Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany, underscores the dramatic impact of recent global warming. The researchers compiled early temperature records using indirect measures ...
NASA Captures Breathtaking Image of Half-Frozen Pangong Tso Lake from Space

NASA Captures Breathtaking Image of Half-Frozen Pangong Tso Lake from Space

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
NASA, renowned for its stunning images of Earth and the Universe, recently shared a captivating photograph of a half-frozen Pangong Tso lake taken from the International Space Station (ISS). The image, posted on Instagram by NASA Earth, showcases the remarkable beauty of this high-altitude lake nestled between India and China. Pangong Tso is renowned as one of the highest lakes globally, boasting an elevation of 4,225 meters (13,862 feet). Despite its lofty altitude, it is not a freshwater lake but rather a saltwater one. During the winter months, the lake freezes entirely, even hosting a marathon atop its icy surface. Notably, the lake's hues change with varying weather conditions, adding to its allure. Describing the image, NASA Earth highlighted the diverse landscapes surrounding ...