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In this archive story we are meeting An Indian woman in a village in Uttar Pradesh, India.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer. |
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India began experiencing one of the hottest March-April periods on record in 2022. A heat wave or heatwave, is a period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity, especially in oceanic climate countries. While definitions vary, a heat wave is usually measured relative to the usual weather in the area and relative to normal temperatures for the season.
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Heat wave in India
The South Asian heat wave in 2022 has led to the hottest March in India since 1901. It arrived unusually early in the year and extended into April, affecting a large part of the country's northwest. Rainfall has been only 1/4 to 1/3 of normal. Several cities across India had high temperatures over 45 degrees and at least 26 people died, most of them in the state of Maharashtra, with the final toll expected to be thousands.
What is hottest temperature ever recorded in India?
The hottest temperatures ever recorded in India occurred in Churu, Rajasthan, reaching up to 50.8 degrees, which is a near record high in India. |
Temperatures reaching record levels
The South Asian heat wave has been wreaking havoc across the region with temperatures reaching record levels in countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and the sweltering heat had caused a multitude of problems, ranging from power outages to heat exhaustion and even death. For many parts of South Asia, temperatures had in this period risen to levels never seen before. In India, the temperature reached a record 51.2 degrees in the city of Phalodi. In Pakistan, the temperature reached a high of 53.5 degrees in the city of Mohenjo-daro and in Bangladesh, temperatures reached a staggering 54.0 degrees.
Heat issues
This extreme heat has led to a number of issues. Power outages have occurred due to the strain put on the electricity grid and this has caused further problems, such as water shortages and food shortages. People have been forced to queue for hours to get basic necessities. The heat has also led to a surge in heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and many people have been hospitalised after suffering from heat stroke and dehydration. The elderly and the very young are particularly vulnerable to the heat, as are those who are ill and or have pre-existing medical conditions. In an effort to combat the heat wave, authorities in South Asia have implemented a number of measures and these include rolling blackouts, water rationing and the closure of schools. People have also been advised to remain indoors during the hottest part of the day and to stay hydrated.
Still causing major problems in South Asia
Despite these measures, the heat wave was still causing major problems in South Asia. It is vital that governments in the region should take more action in the future to protect their citizens from the extreme heat. Otherwise, the situation may get even worse and as the summer months approach, it is important to consider the increased risk of heat-related health issues in elderly people. Heat temperatures can be especially dangerous for the elderly, as their bodies may not be able to regulate temperature as effectively as younger individuals.
Vulnerable elderly people
The elderly are particularly vulnerable to heat-related health risks, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion can cause dizziness, nausea and fatigue, while heat stroke can cause fever, confusion and seizures. If left untreated, heat stroke can be fatal and as people age, their bodies become less able to regulate their core body temperature, which can lead to dangerous temperature extremes. For elderly individuals, it is critical for them to recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses and take the necessary precautions to stay safe in hot weather.
"First and foremost, it is important for elderly individuals to stay hydrated, drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeinated drinks. It is also important to limit outdoor activities when temperatures are above 32.2 degrees and to wear light, breathable clothing in hot weather. Additionally, air-conditioning should be used whenever possible and it is important to avoid hot environments such as a car or a sauna"
Awareness of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Elderly individuals should also be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, nausea, fatigue and heavy sweating and should be addressed immediately by seeking medical attention or moving to a cooler environment. Heat stroke is more serious and can be life-threatening. Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures and if these symptoms occur, it is important to call emergency services immediately.
Finally, it is also important for family and caregivers of elderly individuals to be aware of the risks of heat-related illnesses. They should monitor their loved ones closely and ensure that they are taking the necessary precautions to stay safe in hot weather and by following these simple tips, elderly individuals can stay safe in the heat and avoid the dangers of heat-related illnesses.
Weather in India
Many people find small talk of the weather kind beyond trivial. But the Photographer could talk about it for hours, where the photographer finds the sequence of highs and lows and what influences them just as exciting as the emergence of extreme weather conditions in India. And he is interested in what the weather could be like in 4 weeks when he is on vacation or traveling in India. In recent years, meteorology has become more important than daily weather reports for instance heavy rain or extended periods of drought can destroy harvests or threaten forests. Your forecast is therefore becoming increasingly important in our globalized world, also because climate change is already affecting our weather. Luckily, thanks to dense measuring networks and powerful computers, the forecasts are getting better and better.
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, describing for instance the degree to which it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Heat waves are becoming a part of daily life as our climate shifts and changes and this archive story covers the most important areas of this timely topic, delivering knowledge about the heat wave that occured in India in 2022. Heat waves and the number of natural disasters triggered by extreme weather conditions is increasing worldwide. As human beings we could wonder about how did this development come about and what the weather is anyway.
Reasons for the heat wave in India
A heat wave is a period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days. Heat waves can occur with or without high humidity. They have potential to cover a large area, exposing a high number of people to hazardous heat. Temperatures that people from a hotter climate consider normal can be called a heat wave in a cooler area if they are outside the normal climate pattern for that area. Weather experts have attributed the high temperature across the country to the absence of periodic light rainfall and thundershowers, typical for this time of the year, due to the lack of active western disturbances.
The high power demand has increased demand for coal in India, which is the main source of electricity generation in the country. The state-run enterprise 'Coal India' increased its output by 27 percent. 'Indian Railways' has had to cancel hundreds of passenger trains as an emergency measure to prioritize hauling coal to power plants to avoid blackouts. The state also requested that electricity providers import some 19 million tonnes of coal before the end of June in the same year.
Hot weather variations in India
The term is applied both to hot weather variations and to extraordinary spells of hot which may occur only once a century. Severe heat waves have caused catastrophic crop failures, thousands of deaths from hyperthermia and widespread power outages due to increased use of air conditioning. A heat wave is considered extreme weather that can be a natural disaster and a danger because heat and sunlight may overheat the human body. Heat waves can usually be detected using forecasting instruments so that a warning call can be issued.
"It is defined that 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 degrees or more. However, some nations have come up with their own criteria to define a heat wave"
The concerning of heat waves
India faces its worst electricity shortage in more than 6 years and demand due to the heat wave has strained the electric grid in the country. Heat waves often lead to electricity spikes due to increased air conditioning use, which can create power outages, exacerbating the problem. Scorching temperatures force early closures of schools and send people indoors. Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have all reduced power allocated to industry due to an increase in power consumption dedicated to cooling. Heat waves can and do cause roads and highways to buckle and melt, water lines to burst and power transformers to detonate, causing fires. These waves can also damage rail roads, such as buckling and kinking rails, which can lead to slower traffic, delays and even cancellations of service when rails are too dangerous to traverse by trains.
The concern now is focusing on predicting the future likelihood of heat waves and their severity. In addition, because in most of the world most of those suffering the impacts of a heat wave will be inside a building and this will modify the temperatures they are exposed to, there is the need to link climate models to building models. This means producing example time series of future weather. Other work has shown that future mortality due to heat waves could be reduced if buildings were better designed to modify the internal climate or if the occupants were better educated about the issues, so they can take action in time.
The term 'Degree' which is used in this archive story is referring to the 'Celcius degree'. A degree can be defined as a set change in temperature measured against a given scale, for instance, 1 degree Celsius is 1/100th of the temperature change between the point at which water starts to change state from solid to liquid state and the point at which it starts to change from its liquid to gaseous state.
See this video about the heat wave in India made by The Hindu.
"- Of course, being a photographer in India comes with its challenges. The extreme heat and humidity, crowded streets and language barriers can make it difficult to navigate and capture the perfect shot. But these challenges also push me to be more creative and resourceful, resulting in images that truly capture the essence of the moment", the Photographer says.
"- As I reflect on my time in India, I realize that it was more than just a photography adventure. It was a journey that opened my eyes to a vibrant and diverse country and it allowed me to connect with people and cultures in a way that I never thought possible. The experiences I had and the memories I captured will forever hold a special place in my heart. Being a travel photographer in India is a one-of-a-kind experience that I would recommend to any photographer. It challenges you to adapt, connect and see the world in a new light. India has left a lasting impression on me and I can't wait to return and capture even more of its beauty through my lens", the Photographer says again.
Read also: Boy in a village portraiture
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India is a land full of stories. On every street, on every corner and in the many places in India, life is rushing by you as a photographer with millions of stories to be told. In the archive story above, you hopefully had a readable insight in the story that was behind the photo of an Indian woman in Uttar Pradesh. On this website of Kristian Bertel | Photography you can find numerous travel pictures from the photographer. Stories and moments that tell the travel stories of how the photographer captured the specific scene that you see in the picture. The photographer's images have a story behind them, images that all are taken from around India throughout his photo journeys. The archive stories delve into Kristian's personal archive to reveal never-before-seen, including portraits and landscapes beautifully produced snapshots from various travel assignments. The archive is so-far organized into photo stories, this one included, each brought to life by narrative text and full-color photos. Together, these fascinating stories tell a story about the life in India. India, the motherland to many people around the world, a land of unforgetable travel moments. The archive takes viewers on a spectacular visual journey through some of the most stunning photographs to be found in the photographer's archive collection. The photographer culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty and everyday life in India. By adding these back stories the photographer's work might immensely enhanced the understanding of the photographs.
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