NEW DELHI: A blistering heat, predicted by the weather office across swathes of the country in May, could strain the power network, hurt the economy and threaten people’s lives.
Monthly maximum temperatures are expected to be above normal over east-central and eastern regions, according to the India Meteorological Department. Parts of northeast India will also see hotter weather, reports in the national media said on April 29.
The South Asian nation has been bracing for a searing summer after record-shattering heat in 2022 that caused widespread suffering and affected global wheat supplies.
Businesses and traders are now factoring in extreme weather in their investment decisions as the frequency of such events increases.
Heat waves trigger spikes in electricity use as people switch on their air conditioners and fans, piling more pressure on the power grid and increasing the risk of blackouts.
For the millions in the world’s most populous country who toil outdoors, many without adequate protection, the heat leads to productivity losses and can even be deadly.
Temperatures aren’t the only factor that makes heat waves dangerous. Humidity can also be fatal when the human body can’t cool itself by sweating.
