heat waves Archives - Disasters News

In a significant step towards tackling the growing threats of climate change, the Tamil Nadu government officially notified extreme heat as a State-specific disaster in October. This decision broadens the scope of institutional mechanisms to protect those at risk of heat-related health issues or fatalities, offering a safety net for citizens during deadly heatwaves. However, while the move reflects foresight in addressing climate-induced risks, there are critical aspects that warrant closer scrutiny. Expanded Welfare Responsibilities By recognizing extreme heat as a disaster, Tamil Nadu takes on the responsibility to mitigate its effects, aligning with the broader mandate of public welfare. The notification includes proactive measures such as ensuring access to medical care, provi...

New York's Third Avenue Bridge got stuck for hours when its metal expanded in the heat, preventing it from closing. Roads have buckled on hot days in several states, including Washington and Wisconsin. Amtrak warned passengers about heat-related problems, leading to a daylong outage between New York and New Jersey. High temperatures pose a growing risk to power lines and rails, causing delays for the train system. The worsening heat is hitting an already troubled U.S. infrastructure system. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. infrastructure a grade of C- in its 2021 report. Despite some improvements, such as a reduction in the number of poor-condition bridges from over 12% to 7.5% in a decade, many bridges remain old and hard to maintain. Forty percent of the road system i...

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Tamil Nadu Declares Extreme Heat a State-Specific Disaster: A Welcome Move with Caveats

How Climate Change Impacing Infrasturcture: Heatwaves Cause Major Problems for U.S. Infrastructure Study reveals