Extreme heatwave continues to sweep across parts of Rajasthan, with temperatures soaring to alarming levels and threatening public health and agricultural productivity.
Over the past several days, several regions in the state, including Barmer, have recorded temperatures exceeding 46°C, reaching unprecedented highs. Barmer, in particular, saw a peak temperature of 46.4°C on April 8, setting a new record for the month of April. This extreme heat has triggered widespread concern, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple heatwave warnings for several districts in the state, including Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Kota, forecasting prolonged periods of intense heat for the coming days.
The IMD defines a heatwave as a condition when the maximum temperature of an area is 4.5°C to 6.4°C above the normal temperature for that location. In more extreme cases, when the temperature exceeds 6.4°C above the average, the condition is classified as a severe heatwave. The ongoing heatwave in Rajasthan has led to temperatures well beyond these thresholds, signaling that the situation is more severe than in typical heatwaves. These scorching conditions are expected to continue, intensifying the impact on the daily lives of residents and the environment alike.
One of the immediate concerns arising from this extreme weather is the threat it poses to public health. High temperatures, especially those that persist for several days, can lead to a range of heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. These conditions can be life-threatening if not properly managed, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. Health authorities have urged residents to take immediate precautions to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the heat. People are advised to stay hydrated, avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak heat hours, wear light and loose-fitting clothing, and take regular breaks in cool, shaded areas. Local hospitals have reported a rise in cases of dehydration and heat-related illnesses, and medical staff are on high alert, prepared for an increase in patient numbers due to the ongoing heatwave.
The heatwave is also having a devastating effect on agriculture, one of the main sources of livelihood for millions of people in Rajasthan. Crops such as wheat, barley, and mustard, which are essential to the state’s economy, are suffering from heat stress due to the extreme temperatures. These crops are typically more vulnerable to intense heat, especially during their growth and ripening stages. The ongoing heatwave has led to concerns that yields may be significantly reduced, which would have serious implications for food security and farmers’ income. Many farmers are already grappling with the financial strain of poor harvests from previous seasons, and this latest wave of extreme heat is exacerbating the challenges they face.
In response to the heat, agricultural experts have recommended that farmers adopt water-saving irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation and sprinklers, to reduce water wastage and ensure that crops receive the necessary hydration despite the hot weather. Additionally, farmers have been advised to protect their crops from direct exposure to the sun by using shade nets and employing mulching techniques to retain soil moisture. Despite these measures, however, the long-term impact of the heatwave on crop yields remains uncertain, and many farmers are concerned about the possibility of crop failure in the face of such extreme conditions.
The ongoing heatwave has also raised alarms about the risk of forest fires, particularly in the forested areas of Udaipur, where the dry conditions, coupled with the extreme temperatures, create an ideal environment for fires to spread rapidly. The IMD has issued orange alerts for these regions, warning of a very high risk of forest fires in the coming days. Forest officials are working to monitor the situation and have deployed additional resources to manage fire outbreaks if they occur. The impact of such fires would be devastating, not only for the environment but also for the local communities that depend on forests for their livelihoods.
