Generally temperature is more above the average high temperature for the region. • I t is an extended period of very high summer temperature with the potential to adversely affect communities. • High temperature are often accompanied by high humidity, that the body cannot tolerate are defined as extreme heat.

1. Heat wave
Dr Asim Amitabh Pradhan
Fakir Mohan University

2. Things to learn today.
1. What is heatwave?
2. Definition by various agencies
3. What causes heat wave?
4. Effects of heat wave
5. Precautions to be taken
6. How to stay safe in heat wave?

3. • Generally temperature is more above the average high
temperature for the region.
• It is an extended period of very high summer temperature with
the potential to adversely affect communities.
• High temperature are often accompanied by high humidity,
that the body cannot tolerate are defined as extreme heat.
What is heatwave?

4. • The World Meteorological Organization, defines a heat wave as 5 or
more consecutive days of prolonged heat in which the daily maximum
temperature is higher than the average maximum temperature by 5
°C (9 °F) or more.
• However, some nations have come up with their own criteria to
define a heat wave.
Heat Wave by WMO

5. Heat Wave
by IMD
The I.M.D. has given the following criteria for Heat Waves.
“Heat wave need not be considered till maximum
temperature of a station reaches at least 400C for plains
and 300C for hilly area”.

6. What causes a heatwave?
Three main causes of heat wave
Air
Pressure
Climate
Change
Depletion
of Ozone
layer

7. What causes a heatwave?
• Climate Change is one of the most
important factors which cause heat
wave and increase their intensity and
frequency.
• Heat waves are becoming hotter, lasting
longer and occurring more often
• In the last decade, record hot weather
has occurred three times more often
than cold weather records.
• Climate change is also making heat
waves worse in terms of their property,
communities and the environment.
Climate Change

8. • The Ozone layer covers
the earth from direct and
very harmful sun rays.
• Depletion of this layer
can bring harm not only
for people but also for
the environment.
• The land may become
drier and temperature of
the air will increase.
What causes a heatwave?
Depletion of Ozone Layer

9. 1998 & 2002 Indian Heatwave
• In Orissa, heat wave caused 2042 deaths in 1998.
• Temperatures have risen to between 45 and 50 degrees
Celsius .
• The heat wave in 2002 south India killed more than 1200
people.
• Most of deaths occurred in state of Andhra Pradesh.
• The heat was so intense that tin roofed shanties turned into
Oven ponds and rivers.

10. Effects of Heat waves
DROUGHT
AGRICULTURE
HEALTH IMPACTS
ANIMALS AND BIRDS
OTHER:- on railways track

11. Drought
• With rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns, heatwaves and
droughts are increasing in frequency and intensity.
• With devastating impacts on both natural and human systems,
including mass loss of life, there is clear necessity for improved
understanding to benefit adaptation and mitigation efforts.

12. Effect on Agriculture and Crop
• Heat waves also damage plants, crops
and vegetables.
• When shearing winds blow and the
temperature rises to around 450C, exotic
plants perish.
• When temperature exceeds 450C for a
number of days even the traditional
species suffer, particularly if they do not
receive moisture regularly.
• In the grazing field not a single blade of
grass is available for the cattle

13. Effect on Agriculture and Crop
• Dry and hot weather causes no precipitation. This can result
in dryness and even drought.
• Plats are no longer growing and, in the worst case, they
completely wither.
• Under such conditions agriculture suffers enormous damage
and harvest loss.
• Severe heat waves could damage crop result in crop failure.
• As plants start die from the effect of heatwave, wild fire
increases.

14. Effect on Animals
• Like human beings, animals
suffer too, particularly when they
are left in the direct sun and they
do not get adequate water.
• Domestic animals and poultry
are especially vulnerable to heat
wave.
• In periods of extreme heat,
poultry may lose up to 5% of
their body mass per hour and
rapidly reach their limit of
dehydration tolerance.

15. Effect on railways track

16. Impact on Infrastructure
• Extreme heat can have significant impacts on infrastructure and essential
services, especially electricity transmission and transport systems.
• Heat waves increase the energy demand, in particular from use of air
conditioners.
• Electricity transmission is affected in such a way, transmission lines may
become so hot that they expand and can hang dangerously low.
• If this occurs, the electricity flow is decreased to allow the transmission line to
cool and contract.
• Ceramic insulators on power lines that are affected by smoke, moisture, or ash
from heat wave associated wild fires, becomes less effective and the electricity
supply may be stopped.

17. Impact on humans
• As mentioned before, during physical
exertion in periods of extreme heat, the
body can have difficulty removing the heat
generated.
• This can lead to the core body temperature
rising to dangerous levels, which
furthermore can lead to heat stress or
death.
• Extreme heat can also lead to mental
health problems in workers, such as,
• Aggression and confusion
• Psychological distress and other
behavioural changes.

19. Health
impact of
Heat Wave
• HEAT CRAMPS : Swelling and
fainting generally accompanied
by fever below 390C (1020F).
• HEAT EXHAUSTION : Fatigue,
weakness, dizziness, headache,
vomiting and sweating.
• HEAT STOKE : Body temperature
of 400C (1040F) or more along
with delirium and coma.

20. Call 108 immediately

21. Heat Stroke Statistics
• Called the “silent disaster”
• Develop slowly
• Kill more than 1000 people nationwide in average year... (&
injure many more)

22. Who is at risk?
•Senior Citizens
•Children
•Construction workers
•Militaries

23. General tips to an heat wave affected
person
• Lay the person in a cool place, under a shade.
• Give the person ORS to drink or lemon /Rice water.
• The patient needs immediate hhospitalization, as heat
strokes could be fatal.

24. Precautions to be taken
• Do not leave children or pets in parked vehicles

27. Precautions to be taken
• Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks,
which dehydrates the body.
• Avoid high-protein food

28. Precautions to be taken
• Take Low-protein food

30. How to stay safe in heat wave
• If you feel faint, see a doctor immediately.

31. How to stay safe in heat wave
Stay hydrated:
Use home made
drinks like
• lassi,
• Lemon water,
• buttermilk
etc.

32. How to stay safe in heat wave
• Keep animals in
shade and give
them plenty of
water to drink.

33. How to stay safe in heat wave
• Use fans, cotton
clothing and take
bath in cold water.

34. How to stay safe in heat wave
• Move strenuous exercise to the morning or afternoon

35. How to stay safe in heat wave
• Wear light, loose fitting
clothing and avoid dark
clothes that will absorb
heat.

36. EMERGENCY KIT
WATER BOTTLE
UMBRELLA / HAT OR CAP
HAND TOWEL
HAND FAN
GLUCOSE

37. Thank You