(a) whether according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) the frequency of severe heat waves had increased sharply in the past fifteen years;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether average frequency of severe heat waves has doubled and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether between 2010 and 2016 too, heat waves showed an upward trend; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)
(a) Yes Madam.
(b) It was observed that many areas of the country (north, northwest, central and northeast Peninsula) have experienced 8 or more Heat Waves (HW) days on an average per season. Compared to previous four decades, there was noticeable increase in the Severe Heat Wave (SHW) days over the country during the past fifteen years. The past decade is the warmest decade for the country as well as for the globe.
The said phenomenon is associated with global warming which is in line with the assessment of Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) experienced globally.
(c) The decadal variation of the all India SHW days for the five decades during the period 1961-2010 is shown in the table below:
Decade days/year All India Severe Heat Wave days
1961-70 74
1971-80 34
1981-90 45
1991-00 48
2001-10 98
(d) Yes Madam.
(e) There is an increasing trend in heat waves between 2010 & 2016 over the central and northwestern parts of India.