The Weekly
BSERVER An IIJNM Publication
Volume 16 Issue 13
Tuesday, 17 January, 2017
Be prepared for a hot year ahead By Mrigakshi Dixit mrigakshi.d@iijnm.org Bengaluru: The city that is regarded as having a moderate climate throughout the year faced different conditions last years, recording temperatures not seen since last 85 years. And it was hot – at least by Bangalore standards. The city twice recorded record high temperatures - 37.2-degree Celsius in April and 31-degrees just days before Christmas. Nineteen-year-old Deepa, in her first year of law school at Christ University, remembers it well. “Last April, which was one of the hottest days, a few of my friends fell ill due to the sudden increase in the temperature and faced skin complications,” she recalls. “People are falling sick more often due to changing weather conditions. The climate is perpetually dry causing many kinds of skin diseases.” The last time the city saw such scorching temperatures, say officials at the Indian Meteorological Department, was Bengaluru is now experiencing a hotter climate than has been recorded in the past 85 years. Courtesy- India Today Group 85 years ago on April 30, 1931 the metropolitan area, which is different kinds of pollution and million according to the Road in temperature of city. Last year, with 38.3 degree Celsius. “Way back in 80’s and 90’s warmer than its surroundings as urbanisation. According to the Transport Office (RTO). This with the arrival of February the the temperature used to be very compared to the rural areas due reports provided by Indian Insti- increases the emission of car- temperature started to soar. And pleasant; summer was warm with to several activities by humans. tute of Science (IISC), the garden bon dioxide content in the air, this year the winters have already a bearable heat, with 24 hours Among the reasons for the increased city in its glorious days had about which gradually heats up the at- arrived with a warm climate. of rainfall that lead to extended temperatures is the lack of rainfall. 150 lakes and 71 per cent of green mosphere with the green house Recent factors that add up to the monsoons and cold embracing Usually, monsoons in July have cover.“Now the lakes are deplet- gases like carbon monoxide, climate woes are the idea of conwinter,” says Roopa Padmar, average rainfall of 103.9 milli- ing and green cover is gradually methane and nitrous oxide. The verting the city into a smart city. age 40. “Everything used to be metres, but last July, the rainfall shrinking.” says Dr. M.D Subhash earth has to maintain its natural “There is an urgent need for the moderate and there was nothing accounted for only 23 millime- Chandran, Professor at Indian carbon dioxide cycle by absorb- rejuvenation of lakes and for like extreme weather condition. tres. Thus, the average rainfall Institute of Science, Bangalore. ing Co2 from plant, lakes and soil creation of more green spaces Bangalore weather is said to be has declined by 10 percent, said The metropolitan city accounts for but with deforestation and 90 per between the buildings, to reguunpredictable, but I can say it was the metrological department. the population of about 8.52 mil- cent land used for human activi- late the climate naturally. The beautifully unpredictable back S. M. Metri, the Director-in- lion as per the census report. The ties the carbon cycle is disturbed unplanned growth of the city then. We used to enjoy every turn Charge of Bangalore Meteorologi- IT hub provides great number of further heating up the atmosphere. of the weather. Now I feel it’s just cal department, said, “The summer job opportunity and people from “The replacement of green areas should also be restricted. More summer throughout the year.” weather can only be predicted af- across the country migrate here and lakes by concrete buildings, time should be spent on educatAccording to Open Government ter the rainfall in April. If the rain- to seek employment resulting in roads and flyovers lead to a phe- ing the people and saving our Data, the temperature of the fall registered is less, then the at- to make a land of diverse culture. nomenon called ‘urban heat is- natural resource for the upcoming city between the years 2000 and mospheric temperature may rise.” “The city is said to be a natu- land’. Air pollution has increased generation,” said J Srinivasan. 2011 has consistently increased. According to Met official, the ral air conditioner, back then in dramatically in case of prolifera- He adds: “Now there are more “During the past 100 years the trend in the increase of tempera- early 2000’s it was an ideal va- tion of vehicles.” said Srinivasan. glass buildings and highways minimum temperature is increas- ture of a particular month ir- cation place with less pollution, “The extinction of the lakes is one been constructed. The use of ing by 2-degrees Celsius every respective of the season is one buildings and traffic. I moved of the major factor for the climate AC’s has been thoroughly inmonth,” said J Srinivasan of of the biggest indicators of cli- here seven years back, still it change of the city,” said Dr. Ra- creased contributing to the reDivecha Centre for the Climate mate change of the Garden city. was a better to live in but since madevi, consultant for climate lease of Chloro-fluoro carbons Change at the Indian Institute of Scientists believe, major fac- last two-three years there is an change at Environmental Man- into the atmosphere causing exScience, Bangalore. “It’s due in tors contributing to the climate excessive change in the weather agement and Policy Research In- cessive damage to the ecosystem” large part,’ he said, ‘because of change of the city are global patterns.” said Anup Purohit stitute, Bangalore. “The wetlands India recently signed the Paris the “urban heat island” effect.” warming, emission of carbon di- Due to urbanisation the vehicu- are set to be balancing the ecoThe urban heat island (UHI) is oxide into the air, deforestation, lar population estimates to be 1.5 system from over the years. But Climate Treaty in order to curb the emission of carbon dioxide in the now with fewer numbers of wet- air. India is the fourth largest emitlands, there is total disturbance of ter of carbon dioxide. As a part of climate activities leading to hot the treaty India plans by 2030 to sunny days and irregular rainfall.” The El-nino affect due to produce 40 per cent energy from global warming also contributes the non-fossil fuels. India will shift to warm weather and less rainfall. from coal based power generation The meteorological department to renewable energy resources. said, the upcoming year will According to the climate change also be hot with some fluctua- treaty, the countries with the tion in temperature. But the cata- highest carbon dioxide emisstrophic affect of global warming sion are China, United States can anytime add up to the rise and Russia followed by India.
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The city is said to be a natural air conditioner, back then in early 2000’s it was an ideal vacation place with less pollution, buildings and traffic. I moved here seven years back, still it was a better to live in but since last two-three years there is an excessive change in the weather patterns
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