1 week ago
Rising Humid Heat Could Bring 4,000 Annual Deaths to Lucknow
Lucknow is experiencing more days that are both hot and very humid.
Humidity makes it harder for sweat to cool the body.
The city had 166 humid-heat days from 2020 to 2024, compared with 123 from 2015 to 2019.
Researchers warn that this problem could become worse as the climate gets warmer.
If emissions remain high, heat-related deaths could increase by about 50% by 2050.
The analysis says this could mean around 4,000 heat-related deaths each year in Lucknow.
Hot nights can also stop people’s bodies from recovering.
Older people, children, sick people and outdoor workers may face greater risks.
Experts recommend drinking water, staying in shaded ventilated places and improving city heat-protection plans.
A Council on Energy, Environment and Water analysis found 289 humid-heat days in Lucknow from 2015 to 2024.
Lucknow recorded 123 such days from 2015 to 2019 and 166 from 2020 to 2024, a 35% increase.
Under a high-emissions scenario, annual heat-related deaths could rise by about 50% by 2050.
The projected rate of 0.6 deaths per 1,000 people could amount to around 4,000 deaths annually after accounting for urban expansion.
Experts said humidity limits the body’s ability to cool itself and urged stronger heat plans, green planning and protection for vulnerable groups.
- Who
- Lucknow residents, particularly outdoor workers, older people, children and people with serious illnesses, are identified as vulnerable; the analysis was conducted by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water.
- What
- An analysis warned that worsening heat and humidity could lead to around 4,000 heat-related deaths annually in Lucknow by 2050 under a high-emissions scenario.
- Where
- Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
- When
- The analysis examined daily weather data from 2015 to 2024 and made projections for 2050.
- Why
- Rising temperatures and humidity make it harder for the body to cool through sweating, while warm nights hinder recovery.
Key facts
- Study period
- Daily weather data from 2015 to 2024
- Humid-heat threshold
- Maximum temperature of at least 35°C and humidity of 60% or higher
- Humid-heat days
- 289 days in Lucknow between 2015 and 2024
- Recent trend
- 166 days from 2020 to 2024, compared with 123 from 2015 to 2019
- Projected mortality increase
- About 50% by 2050 under a high-emissions scenario
- Projected death rate
- 0.6 heat-related deaths per 1,000 people
- Projected annual deaths
- Around 4,000 by 2050, factoring in urban expansion
Quotes
Abhiyan Tiwari
Head of the Climate Resilience and Health division at National Research Development Corporation India
“People now need to understand that summers are no longer what they used to be. Comprehensive changes in government policies, along with action at the social level, are needed to protect people from the adverse effects of humid heat”
telegraphindia.com
“Lucknow is located in the heart of the Indo-Gangetic plains. The low elevation and basin-like geographical features of the region allow air to remain stagnant, retaining moisture”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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