Now Climate Change Is Causing Sleepless Nights In India

The rise in nighttime temperatures due to climate change, particularly in India, is having significant impacts on health and well-being. Here’s a detailed summary of the situation:

Key Findings

Increased Nighttime Temperatures:

• Nighttime temperatures in India have increased more rapidly than daytime temperatures due to climate change.
• Between 2018 and 2023, cities in states like Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Andhra Pradesh experienced an additional 50 to 80 nights annually where temperatures exceeded 25°C.

Metro City Impact:

• Mumbai has seen the highest increase, with an additional 65 hot nights annually.
• Delhi, Alwar, and other cities also set records for nighttime temperatures, exacerbating heat stress and related health issues.

Regional Impact:

• West Bengal and Assam have been particularly affected, with cities like Jalpaiguri and Guwahati experiencing up to 86 additional hot nights each year.
• Other cities such as Jaipur and Gangtok saw significant increases in hot nights above 20°C and 25°C.

Health and Environmental Consequences
Health Impacts:

• Increased nighttime temperatures disrupt sleep quality and duration, leading to physical and mental health issues.
• Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those without access to cooling mechanisms, are disproportionately affected.
• Chronic sleep deprivation can weaken immune systems and increase susceptibility to heat-related illnesses such as heat strokes and cardiovascular diseases.

Urban Heat Island Effect:

• Cities are becoming urban heat islands where infrastructure like buildings and roads absorb and re-emit heat, causing higher nighttime temperatures.
• Poor urban planning and lack of green spaces exacerbate this effect.

Global Context:

• On average, globally, people experienced 4.8 additional nights above 20°C and 11.5 nights above 25°C annually between 2018 and 2023 due to climate change.

Expert Insights
Urban Heat Island Effect:

• Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll highlights the significant role of urbanization in trapping heat and increasing nighttime temperatures.

Climate Trends:

• Aarti Khosla emphasizes the steady rise in nighttime temperatures and their severe impacts on urban populations.

Meteorological Perspectives:

• Mahesh Palawat discusses the role of erratic weather patterns and pollution in exacerbating nighttime heat.

Public Health:

• Prof. Anjal Prakash underscores the heightened vulnerability of marginalized communities to increased nighttime temperatures.

Urgent Actions Needed
Climate Resilience Initiatives:

• Implement strategies to enhance resilience to heat, especially for vulnerable populations.
• Promote equitable access to cooling solutions.

Urban Planning:

• Increase green spaces and improve urban planning to reduce the urban heat island effect.
• Encourage sustainable construction practices.

Global Efforts:

• Drastically reduce fossil fuel consumption to mitigate further climate change.
• Enhance international cooperation to address the global impacts of rising temperatures.

In summary, the rising nighttime temperatures in India due to climate change are leading to severe health consequences and exacerbating existing inequalities. Urgent measures are required to mitigate these effects and improve urban planning and public health responses.

The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy