Heat Stress and Heatwaves
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs6
- Articles1
Background
Critical for understanding the impacts of climate change, public health challenges, disaster management, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. Relevant for GS1 (Geography, Urbanization), GS2 (Welfare, Disaster Management), GS3 (Environment, Economy).
Heat stress refers to the body's inability to cool itself, leading to heat-related illnesses, while heatwaves are periods of abnormally high temperatures. These extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting, and intense globally due to climate change.
Facts & tables
- Increasing Trend
- Increasing frequency, intensity, and duration over the past decade in India, including Tamil Nadu, with average summer temperatures rising by 0.5-0.9°C in hotspots.
- Contributing Factors
- Amplified by high humidity, Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, strong pre-monsoon solar heating, dry continental air, and delayed southwest monsoon activity.
- Impacts
- Significant impact on vulnerable populations (outdoor workers, children, elderly), affecting productivity, health, and increasing risk of heat-related illnesses.
- El Nino Influence
- Strengthening El Nino conditions in the tropical Pacific could influence weather patterns, rainfall, and heat risks, potentially extending warm temperatures.
| Region | Observed Conditions |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu (North & Interior) | Persistent heatwave-like conditions, 40+°C, high humidity along coast |
| Telangana | Intense heatwave conditions, 48 heat-related fatalities |
| Southwest Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Marathwada, Vidarbha | Severe heat, Banda (UP) recorded 48.3°C |
| Western Rajasthan | Did not witness extreme temperatures this year |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Climate Change Impacts |
| Conceptual area | Disaster Management |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| India Meteorological Department (IMD) | Monitors and forecasts weather, issues warnings |
| Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) | Provides regional weather observations and forecasts |
| Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority | Coordinates disaster response and preparedness |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Increasing frequency/intensity of heatwaves due to global warming.
- UHI effect and high humidity amplify heat stress.
- Impacts: public health, labor productivity, vulnerable groups.
- El Nino's potential influence on future heat risks.
- Need for early warning systems and localized action plans.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Policy measures, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2024 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2024 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
Timeline
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Climate Change Impacts
Conceptual area
-
Disaster Management
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2024
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2024
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2026
Policy measures, Multi-statement analysis
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Beyond high temperatures: understanding heat stress in Tamil Nadu
Heat stress and heatwaves are escalating extreme weather events, driven by climate change and local factors like UHI. They pose severe public health, economic, and disaster management challenges, necessitating robust adaptation and mitigation strategies.
See also
Past papers
2020–2026 · 5 questions
In the news
Beyond high temperatures: understanding heat stress in Tamil Nadu
Heat stress and heatwaves are escalating extreme weather events, driven by climate change and local factors like UHI. They pose severe public health, economic, and disaster management challenges, necessitating robust adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Try these PYQs
The World Bank warned that India could become one of the first places where wet-bulb temperatures routinely exceed 35 °C. Which of the following statements best reflect(s) the implication of the above‐said report?
I. Peninsular India will most likely suffer from flooding, tropical cyclones and droughts.
II. The survival of animals including humans will be affected as shedding of their body heat through perspiration becomes difficult.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Wet-bulb temperature combines heat and humidity. When it exceeds 35°C, the human body can no longer cool itself through sweating, posing a serious threat to survival. ❌ Statement I: Incorrect
* Though flooding, cyclones, and droughts are valid climate threats, they are not directly related to the World Bank's warning about wet-bulb temperatures. ✅ Statement II: Correct
* When wet-bulb temperatures cross 35°C, the body cannot release heat, making it fatal for humans and animals.
Consider the following pairs
| International Agreement | Set-up Subject |
|--------------------------|----------------------------|
| 1. Alma-Ata Declaration | Healthcare of the people |
| 2. Hague Convention | Biological and chemical weapons |
| 3. Talanoa Dialogue | Global climate change |
| 4. Under2 Coalition | Child rights |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is correctly matched. Alma Ata Declaration: The Declaration of Alma-Ata was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 612 September 1978. It expressed the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of all people. Pair 2 is not correctly matched. Hague Convention: The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty developed by the Hague Conference on Private International Law that provides an expeditious method to return a child internationally abducted by a parent from one member country to another. Pair 3 is correctly matched. The Talanoa Dialogue is a process designed to help countries implement and enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions by 2020. The Dialogue was mandated by the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change to take stock of the collective global efforts to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Pair 4 is not correctly matched. The Under2 Coalition is a global community of state and regional governments committed to ambitious climate action in line with the Paris Agreement. The coalition brings together more than 220 governments that represent over 1.3 billion people and 43% of the global economy. Signatories commit to keeping global temperature rises to well below 2C with efforts to reach 1.5C.
Consider the following statements:
1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and running them.
2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative "EP100".
3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the "Under2 Coalition".
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. The CLIMATE GROUP is an international non-profit organization founded in 2003, with offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Amsterdam, and Beijing. Its mission is to drive rapid climate action. This group builds and runs networks. Statement 2 is incorrect. EP100 is a global initiative led by The Climate Group and the Alliance to Save Energy (not by the International Energy Agency). Statement 3 is correct. The Climate Group's global EP100 initiative brings together a growing cohort of energy-smart companies committed to improving their energy productivity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By incorporating ambitious energy targets into their business strategies, leading companies are fostering innovation in energy efficiency, enhancing competitiveness, and achieving emissions reduction goals. Statement 4 is correct. EP100 has a global reach, with member companies operating in over 130 markets worldwide. India's Mahindra Group is among the frontrunners in the ongoing efforts to decrease energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by transitioning to renewable energy sources. Statement 5 is incorrect. The Climate Group serves as the Secretariat for the Under2 Coalition and collaborates with governments to expedite climate action through four main workstreams - Pathways, - Policy Action, - Transparency, and - Diplomacy.
One of the following regions has the world's largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effect on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region?
Congo Basin Peatlands: The Congo Basin in Central Africa is home to the world's largest tropical peatland complex. This vast peatland stores an immense amount of carbon, estimated to be equivalent to about three years of global fossil fuel emissions. Importance of Peatlands: Peatlands are a critical carbon sink. They store more carbon than all the world's forests combined. When peatlands are drained or degraded, this stored carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. The Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Cong and Indonesia are parties to the Brazzaville Declaration, aimed at protecting the Cuvette Centrale region in the Congo Basin, the world’s largest tropical peatlands, from unregulated land use and preventing its drainage and degradation. _Other Options:_ * Amazon Basin: While the Amazon is known for its vast rainforests, it is not the primary location of the world's largest tropical peatland. * Kikori Basin: The Kikori Basin is located in Papua New Guinea and contains significant peatlands, but not the largest tropical peatland complex. * Rio de la Plata Basin: This basin in South America is primarily known for its grasslands and is not associated with major peatland areas.
Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?
1. Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas
2. Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions
3. Enhancing productivity and minimising climatic risks through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rainfed Area Development (RAD) scheme explicitly promotes Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) rather than monoculture. It integrates multi-cropping and rotational cropping with allied activities like horticulture, livestock, fishery, and agro-forestry to diversify income and build resilience. Official guidelines actively discourage single-cropping (monoculture) systems. Statement 2 is Incorrect: As the name implies, RAD targets rainfed areas (regions lacking assured irrigation) to build resilience against climate variability. It does not focus on expanding water-intensive crops like rice in already irrigated regions. Statement 3 is Correct: The core objective of RAD is to make rainfed agriculture more productive, sustainable, remunerative, and climate-resilient. By diversifying income sources through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS), RAD aims to minimize the risks associated with climatic variability (such as droughts, heat stress, or floods) and crop failure, ensuring stable livelihoods for farmers. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Show 1 more PYQs
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.
Statement-II: Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement 1 is incorrect. Insolation reaches the earth's surface in short waves and heat is radiated from the earth in long waves, Hence energy leaving the earth's surface i.e. terrestrial radiation heats up the atmosphere more than the incoming solar radiation i.e. insolation. Statement 2 is correct. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (such as water vapour and carbon dioxide) absorb most of the Earth's emitted longwave infrared radiation, which heats the lower atmosphere.