Article 2: Concrete fever
Why in news: Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan recorded 48°C, highlighting the growing severity of heatwaves in India and raising concerns about climate change, urban heat islands, worker safety, and heat-management policies.
Key Details
- Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, recorded 48°C, the highest temperature in India this year, highlighting the increasing severity of heatwaves.
- Heatwave frequency and duration have risen in India's Core Heatwave Zone, with the 2015–2025 period being the warmest 11-year stretch on record.
- Urban Heat Islands make cities 2°C–10°C hotter than surrounding rural areas due to concrete surfaces, loss of green cover, and waste heat emissions.
- Growing reliance on air conditioners is not a complete solution, as they release additional heat into the environment and mainly benefit indoor populations.
- Effective heat management requires urban greening, reflective infrastructure, enforcement of labour protections, and dedicated policy attention and funding.
Rising Heatwaves in India
- Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan) recorded 48°C, the highest temperature in India this year so far.
- Extreme summer heat before the monsoon is common, but delayed monsoons can worsen conditions.
- Informal-sector workers, such as labourers and vendors, are particularly vulnerable as they often work outdoors without adequate protection.
Climate Change and Increasing Heatwave Frequency
- Heatwaves are closely linked to climate change.
- Since 1961, the frequency of heatwave spells in India's Core Heatwave Zone has increased by 0.1 days per decade.
- The duration of heatwaves has increased by 0.55 days per decade.
- The period 2015–2025 has been identified as the warmest 11-year span since global records began.
Urbanisation Intensifying Heat Stress
- Urban Heat Islands make cities 2°C–10°C hotter than nearby rural areas.
- Excessive concrete, asphalt surfaces, loss of tree cover, and waste heat from air conditioners contribute significantly.
- Delhi's average humidity increased by 8 percentage points between 2015–19 and 2020–24.
- Many of these changes result from urban planning failures rather than global warming alone.
Limitations of Air-Conditioning as a Solution
- Expanding access to air conditioners appears to be an easy technological solution.
- However, it mainly benefits privileged indoor workers while offering little relief to outdoor labourers and street vendors.
- Air conditioners release waste heat, which can further increase urban temperatures.
- Thus, excessive reliance on cooling technology can unintentionally worsen the heat problem.
Need for Long-Term Policy and Urban Reforms
- Cities should adopt reflective building materials and expand green cover.
- Building regulations must be updated to suit changing climatic conditions.
- Existing labour laws requiring suspension of outdoor work during dangerous heat conditions must be strictly enforced.
- India needs a dedicated national strategy and budget allocation for heat management and adaptation.
Conclusion
The growing intensity of heatwaves highlights the intersection of climate change, urbanisation, and governance challenges. Sustainable solutions require more than technological fixes; they demand climate-sensitive urban design, protection of vulnerable workers, enhanced green cover, and effective implementation of existing regulations. A comprehensive national heat-management strategy is crucial for building long-term resilience against rising temperatures.