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{{Short description|Major Heatwave in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox heat event
| title = 2002 Indian heat wave
| start_date = May 2002
| areas = [[India]]
| type = [[Heat wave]]
| fatalities = 1,030
}}

More than 1,030 people were killed in the '''2002 heatwave in [[South India]]'''.<ref>{{cite news|date=2002-05-22|title=Heat wave in India kills 1,000 people this week|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/heat-wave-in-india-kills-1-000-people-this-week-1.328964}}</ref> Most of the dead were poor and elderly and a majority of deaths occurred in the southern state of [[Andhra Pradesh]]. In the districts that were impacted most, the heat was so severe that ponds and rivers evaporated and in those same districts birds had fallen from the sky and animals were collapsing from the intense heat.<ref>{{cite news|date=2002-05-22|title=More than 1,000 dead in southern India heat wave|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-05-22-indiaheat.htm|accessdate=2010-04-21}}</ref>

It is said by officials to be the worst heat wave in four years. The relief commissioner of Andhra Pradesh, Rosaiah, said that the maximum number of 172 deaths related to heat took place in the [[East Godavari]] district. There were also 166 deaths in [[Prakasam district|Prakasam]] and 144 deaths in [[West Godavari]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hyderabad|date=May 23, 2002|title=India's Heatwave Toll 1,200, No Respite In Site|url=http://www.terradaily.com/news/nuclear-india-pakistan-02q3.html|journal=TerraDaily|accessdate=November 21, 2015}}</ref>

Unusually high temperatures were detected across India during April of the year 2002. In addition, this heat wave over northern zones of India lasted from the middle of April to the third week in May, thus, causing these fatalities. On May 10 the highest temperature recorded in the region of [[Gannavaram]] (Vijayawada) was 49 oC (120 oF).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Dube, Rao|first1=R.K., G.S.|date=July 2005|title=Extreme Weather Events over India in the last 100 years|url=http://sa.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/extreme%20events.pdf|journal=J. Ind. Geophys. Union|volume=9|pages=173–187|accessdate=November 21, 2015}}</ref> According to the BBC News, "Heatwaves are defined as periods of abnormally high temperatures and usually occur between March and June in India. May is the country's hottest month, with an average maximum temperature of 41 oC (104 oF) in Delhi. Longer, more severe heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent globally. Intense heat can cause cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke. Thousands of people have died across India during heatwaves in 2002 and 2003."<ref name=":0">{{cite news|title=India heatwave toll passes 1,000|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-32880180|work=BBC News|date=26 May 2015|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2015-11-23}}</ref> The heatwaves also affected the northern states of [[Punjab]], and [[Haryana]]. In [[Orissa]], 100 people suffered from heat-related sickness.

== Background and details of the 2002 Indian heat wave ==

=== Definition of Heat Wave ===
Heatwave as a hazard causing disaster scenario is little more than the physical phenomenon of high heat conditions and is characterized as a complex of hydro-climatic risks coupled with social, occupational, and [[public health]] risks.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|author=Guleria, Sushma|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1224042418|title=Heat wave in India, documentation of state of Telangana and Odisha, 2016|year=2018|publisher=National Institute of Disaster Management |isbn=978-93-82571-24-7|oclc=1224042418}}</ref> A Heat Wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season in the North-Western parts of [[India]].

=== 2002 Indian Heat Wave ===
One of the worst heat waves so far swept through India in May 2002. This was caused by an extreme drought triggered by the [[El Niño|El Niño effect]].<ref name=":1" /> The fierce heatwave killed more than 1,000 people in the country. Elderly people account for most of the deaths, unable to bear temperatures that hit 50 oC (122 oF) in parts of the [[Andhra Pradesh|southern Andhra Pradesh]] state during the week of May 9–15.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=2002-05-18|title=Heat Wave Devastates the South of India, Killing Hundreds|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/18/world/heat-wave-devastates-the-south-of-india-killing-hundreds.html|access-date=2021-11-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In some areas, temperatures were so extreme that many tin-roofed homes turned into ovens, water catchments dried up and animals collapsed from the heat.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=CNN.com - India heat wave toll tops 1,000 - May 22, 2002|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/05/22/india.heat/index.html|access-date=2021-11-01|website=CNN}}</ref> Heatwave in 2002 led not only to a very high mortality rate, but also to the high morbidity of many heat-related diseases and caused a fatal blow to the local agriculture and economy.

=== Heatwave events in India during the past 20 years ===
Heat health impacts in India are serious. Estimates suggest that there have been over 22,000 heat-related fatalities in India since 1992. Due to the [[El Niño|El Niño effect]], 2015 is considered the hottest year ever, the country witnessed the fifth deadliest heatwave in history. The other nine warmest years on record are 2009, 2010, 2003, 2002, 2014, 1998, 2006 and 2007. In addition to the vulnerable populations identified above, the poor may be differentially impacted on account of gaps in health services, housing, and basic amenities.<ref name=":1" />

=== Heatwave developing trend ===
[[India Meteorological Department]] report says that heat waves (40oC+ temperatures) are recurring more frequently and with greater intensity every year in India due to climate change and [[Climate change|global warming]].<ref name=":1" /> Therefore, harder works should not only be taken on alleviating the negative impact of the heatwave, but also the root cause problem of climate warming.

== Impact of heatwave as a disaster ==

=== Consequences of Indian heatwave so far ===

==== Physical impacts ====
The 2002 Indian heat waves was a record-breaking event, which can be considered as a wake-up call and a shock to the Indian order and development.<ref name=":3" /> 330 million people were impacted by this heatwave that took about 1030 lives in parts of the [[Andhra Pradesh|southern Andhra Pradesh]] state during the second week of May 2002, which elderly and poor people account for most of the deaths due to [[dehydration]] and [[Heat stroke|heatstroke]]. People were unable to bear temperatures that hit 50 oC ([[Fahrenheit|122 oFahrenheit]]) as well as the unusual high night-time temperatures.<ref name=":4" />

==== Geographical impacts ====
The heatwave forced the [[Basmati|early-season rice (Basmati)]] in the milk-ripe stage to ripening, reducing the thousand-grain mass as well as the yield due to transpiration.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} High-temperature damage caused detrimental impacts to the growth of [[crop]]s as water supply and demand were out of balance, resulting in [[wilting]] and bud drop. In addition, such extreme events also greatly increased the water and electricity consumption of urban residents in India.

=== Causes of Increasing Heat Wave Incidents ===

==== Geographical ====
Heatwave occur mostly over an interior plain area when dry and warmer air is transported in a region with clear skies, and generally develop over [[Northwest Indiana|Northwest India]] and spread gradually eastwards & southwards.<ref name=":1" /> The direct cause of the heatwave was the [[anticyclone]]s or high-pressure [[ridge]]s occurred in the [[atmosphere]], which leads to a dry climate and a risen temperature without [[Moisture|evaporating moisture]].

==== Climate factors ====
According to case studies carried out by German climatologist [[Stefan Rahmstorf]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Rahmstorf|first1=Stefan|last2=Ganopolski|first2=Andrey|date=1999|title=Long-Term Global Warming Scenarios Computed with an Efficient Coupled Climate Model |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1023/A:1005474526406|journal=Climatic Change|volume=43|issue=2|pages=353–367|doi=10.1023/A:1005474526406|bibcode=1999ClCh...43..353R |s2cid=56568446|url-access=subscription}}</ref> there is a causal relationship between [[Heat wave|heatwave]] and [[Climate change|global warming]]. Nonetheless, following the effects posed by the heatwave, the [[World Health Organization|WHO]], alongside other healthcare organizations, are coming up with strategies to bring back the world into operations.

== Response & Adjustments ==

=== Local response ===
P Tulsi Rani, special commissioner for disaster management in the state said: "The state government has taken up education programs through television and other media to tell people not to venture into the outside without a cap."<ref>{{Cite news|date=2015-05-26|title=India heatwave toll passes 1,000|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-32880180|access-date=2021-11-01}}</ref> In addition, the [[Government of Andhra Pradesh|Andhra Pradesh government]] has advised people to stay indoors and drink plenty of water until cooler weather arrives.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Heat Is Online|url=http://www.heatisonline.org/contentserver/objecthandlers/index.cfm?id=3943&method=full|access-date=2021-11-01|website=www.heatisonline.org}}</ref> The local authorities arranged for drinking water supply points, [[Oral rehydration therapy|oral rehydration salts]] and intravenous fluids in public places such as railway and bus stations, and many emergency medical camps have been set up.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|author=Ashley Fantz|title=Indian summer: What's behind heat and when will it end?|url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/28/world/india-heat-wave-explainer/index.html|access-date=2021-11-01|website=CNN|date=28 May 2015}}</ref>

=== International response ===
Neighboring [[Pakistan]] and [[Afghanistan]] are hot as well, but [[India]] to be suffering far worse.<ref name=":5" /> Therefore, following the example of India's measures in this regard, they were able to face the threat of a heatwave.

== Health Impacts of Heat Waves ==

=== Heatwave-induced diseases and mortality ===
Diseases that can be identified as a direct result of [[Prolonged exposure therapy|prolonged exposure]] to high ambient temperatures are [[heat exhaustion]], [[heat syncope]], and heatstroke.<ref>{{Citation|last=Clements|first=Bruce W.|title=Heat Waves|date=2009|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-1-85617-612-5.00012-3|work=Disasters and Public Health|pages=171–191|publisher=Elsevier|doi=10.1016/b978-1-85617-612-5.00012-3|isbn=9781856176125|access-date=2021-11-01|url-access=subscription}}</ref> During heat waves, there is a significant increase in total daily mortality in all cities. Natural, respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular mortality rates increased significantly under the influence of the heatwave. The health status of people with [[Chronic Respiratory Disease|chronic respiratory diseases]] deteriorates rapidly during periods of high temperatures.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=D'Ippoliti|first1=Daniela|last2=Michelozzi|first2=Paola|last3=Marino|first3=Claudia|last4=de'Donato|first4=Francesca|last5=Menne|first5=Bettina|last6=Katsouyanni|first6=Klea|last7=Kirchmayer|first7=Ursula|last8=Analitis|first8=Antonis|last9=Medina-Ramón|first9=Mercedes|last10=Paldy|first10=Anna|last11=Atkinson|first11=Richard|date=2010-07-16|title=The impact of heat waves on mortality in 9 European cities: results from the EuroHEAT project|journal=Environmental Health|volume=9|issue=1|page=37|doi=10.1186/1476-069x-9-37|pmid=20637065|pmc=2914717|issn=1476-069X |doi-access=free |bibcode=2010EnvHe...9...37D }}</ref>

=== Urban-rural differences in health risks ===
[[Human Mortality Database|Human mortality]] is influenced by ambient meteorological conditions and levels of atmospheric pollutants. Stagnant atmospheric conditions, common during heatwaves, can trap [[pollutant]]s in urban areas, exacerbating the negative effects of heatwaves.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Tan|first1=Jianguo|last2=Zheng|first2=Youfei|last3=Tang|first3=Xu|last4=Guo|first4=Changyi|last5=Li|first5=Liping|last6=Song|first6=Guixiang|last7=Zhen|first7=Xinrong|last8=Yuan|first8=Dong|last9=Kalkstein|first9=Adam J.|last10=Li|first10=Furong|last11=Chen|first11=Heng|date=2009-09-01|title=The urban heat island and its impact on heat waves and human health in Shanghai|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00484-009-0256-x|journal=International Journal of Biometeorology|volume=54|issue=1|pages=75–84|doi=10.1007/s00484-009-0256-x|pmid=19727842|s2cid=12025307|issn=0020-7128|url-access=subscription}}</ref> As heat waves intensify and prolong under climate change, the health risks for urban residents will be significantly higher than for rural residents. Heatwaves not only raise ambient temperatures, but also exacerbate temperature differences between urban and [[rural area]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Li|first1=Dan|last2=Bou-Zeid|first2=Elie|date=September 2013|title=Synergistic Interactions between Urban Heat Islands and Heat Waves: The Impact in Cities Is Larger than the Sum of Its Parts|journal=Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology|volume=52|issue=9|pages=2051–2064|doi=10.1175/jamc-d-13-02.1|bibcode=2013JApMC..52.2051L|s2cid=36776998 |issn=1558-8424|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Seasonal differences in health risks ===
More frequent heatwaves in late spring and early summer may affect short-term human adaptation. Heatwaves in early summer now have a greater impact on heat-related morbidity and mortality than later in the same season. This is attributed to the effects of short-term adaptation to thermal conditions through physiological and behavioral [[adaptation]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Amengual|first1=A.|last2=Homar|first2=V.|last3=Romero|first3=R.|last4=Brooks|first4=H.E.|last5=Ramis|first5=C.|last6=Gordaliza|first6=M.|last7=Alonso|first7=S.|date=August 2014|title=Projections of heat waves with high impact on human health in Europe|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2014.05.006|journal=Global and Planetary Change|volume=119|pages=71–84|doi=10.1016/j.gloplacha.2014.05.006|bibcode=2014GPC...119...71A|issn=0921-8181|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

=== Age differences in health risks ===
Older people are more likely to suffer from [[Heat stroke|heatstroke]] than younger people due to dysfunctional thermoregulatory mechanisms, chronic dehydration, medication, and diseases involving the [[Thermoregulation|thermoregulatory system]]. If left untreated, heatstroke can fail to reduce body temperature rapidly, which is fatal, and survivors may suffer long-term [[disability]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Worfolk|first=Jean B.|date=March 2000|title=Heat Waves: Their Impact on the Health of Elders|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1067/mgn.2000.107131|journal=Geriatric Nursing|volume=21|issue=2|pages=70–77|doi=10.1067/mgn.2000.107131|pmid=10769330|issn=0197-4572|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

== Shorter- and longer-term impacts and other consequences ==

=== Shorter-term impacts and consequences ===

==== [[Economy of India|Economy]] ====
Extreme high temperatures hit Indian tourism by reducing the number of tourists, and then affected the social economy of this period. Similarly, the chaotic social conditions and low agricultural production will inevitably cause specific economic losses.

==== Agricultural ====
As a populous country, Indian dwellers depend on basic agriculture for food and livelihood. [[Kharif crop]]s, one of the main foods in India, are sown in May to June, any extreme temperature is bound to affect [[productivity]].<ref name=":1" /> Therefore, in May 2002, rice, one of the Indian staple foods, declines due to lower production of related grain yield. Consequently, it caused more hunger and death problems.

==== livelihood ====
High temperatures prevented outdoor workers from working outdoors, such as traffic police and cleaners.<ref name=":0" /> Especially, for a state (India) where the majority of individuals might be working in unorganized and informal sectors, this condition compromised the income source of the vulnerable population.<ref name=":1" />

=== Longer-term impacts and consequences ===

==== Economy ====
Potential climate impacts like [[Sea level rise|sea-level rise]], changes in the [[monsoon]], and drought may lead to food production cuts, private and public property loss, and infrastructure damage. All of these impacts set back general [[Socioeconomic status|socio-economic]] development.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=India: The Impact of Climate Change to 2030|url=https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/climate2030_india.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504021210/http://www.dni.gov/files/documents/climate2030_india.pdf |archive-date=4 May 2015 }}</ref>

==== Geo-anthropology ====
Studies have proved that the earth's latitude has a great impact on human destiny. In some way, low-dimensional tropical countries are relatively poorer and more vulnerable to diseases due to the higher temperature.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} Meanwhile, as the harm of the heatwave increases, so will the vulnerability of [[Demographics of India|India's future population]], especially in [[Indo-Gangetic Plain|Indo-Gangetic plains]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dubey|first1=Aditya Kumar|last2=Lal|first2=Preet|last3=Kumar|first3=Pankaj|last4=Kumar|first4=Amit|last5=Dvornikov|first5=Anton Y.|date=October 2021|title=Present and future projections of heatwave hazard-risk over India: A regional earth system model assessment|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111573|journal=Environmental Research|volume=201|pages=111573|doi=10.1016/j.envres.2021.111573|pmid=34174254|bibcode=2021ER....20111573D|issn=0013-9351|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==== Climate ====
In the aspect of vulnerability to climate change, India is one of the most significant countries in the world. The frequency and intensity of heatwave events in India are projected to increase in the future.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Rohini|first1=P.|last2=Rajeevan|first2=M.|last3=Mukhopadhay|first3=P.|date=2019-03-30|title=Future projections of heat waves over India from CMIP5 models|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00382-019-04700-9|journal=Climate Dynamics|volume=53|issue=1–2|pages=975–988|doi=10.1007/s00382-019-04700-9|bibcode=2019ClDy...53..975R|s2cid=135242289|issn=0930-7575|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Most models indicate that the Indian summer monsoons will change disorderly with a warming climate.<ref name=":2" /> This means that the time of the monsoon that relieves the heat is more uncertain and that the consequences of the heat waves may be more unpredictable.

== Lessons learned from the disaster ==

=== Improving adaptability to thermal environments ===
In terms of [[Architecture of India|architecture]], it is possible to construct high [[ceiling]]s and spacious but lowered [[veranda]]s to provide more shade. With respect to clothing, wear more light and loose clothing made of cotton and use a hat to protect yourself from direct sunlight. And about lifestyle, try to choose to exercise and work hard in the early morning or late afternoon, and during the summer months a hearty breakfast and a light lunch should be part of our lives.<ref name=":1" />

=== Concretization and diversification of measures ===
To protect public health, heat-related policies are increasingly being adopted by Indian authorities, such as Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan, launched in 2013, which is an acclaimed and successful policy response in India and beyond.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nastar|first=Maryam|date=December 2020|title=Message Sent, Now What? A Critical Analysis of the Heat Action Plan in Ahmedabad, India|journal=Urban Science|language=en|volume=4|issue=4|pages=53|doi=10.3390/urbansci4040053|doi-access=free}}</ref>
It's effective to hold fun challenges, such as a global competition was launched in 2021 - The [[Cool roofs|Million Cool Roofs Challenge]], where the top of a building is coated with solar reflective paint and covered with white tiles or films to help combat climate change.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Heat wave: Resources {{!}} NDMA, GoI|url=http://www.ndma.gov.in/Natural-Hazards/Heat-Wave/Resources|access-date=2021-11-01|website=www.ndma.gov.in}}</ref> The team that demonstrates the best sustainable and transferable model can be awarded US$1 million.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Million Cool Roofs Challenge|url=https://challenges.org/million-cool-roofs-challenge/|access-date=2021-11-01|website=Nesta Challenges|language=en-GB}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{List of heat waves|state=autocollapse}}

[[Category:Heat waves in India]]
[[Category:2002 disasters in India|Indian Heatwave, 2002]]
[[Category:History of Andhra Pradesh (1947–2014)]]
[[Category:Disasters in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:2000s heat waves]]
[[Category:2002 meteorology]]
[[Category:2002 natural disasters]]

2002 Indian heat wave - Revision history

imported>OAbot: Open access bot: url-access updated in citation with #oabot.