A woman and child in New Delhi try to cover up to avoid the sun during the heatwave last year. EPA
A woman and child in New Delhi try to cover up to avoid the sun during the heatwave last year. EPA
A woman and child in New Delhi try to cover up to avoid the sun during the heatwave last year. EPA
A woman and child in New Delhi try to cover up to avoid the sun during the heatwave last year. EPA

World

India's development likely to be hampered by devastating heatwaves, study warns

Risk of frequent power cuts, health problems and difficulties in reducing inequality

Daniel Bardsley
Daniel Bardsley

April 21, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

India may struggle to reach development goals because heatwaves are going to become increasingly severe, say researchers.

The academics say that more than 90 per cent of the country faces possible effects on, for example, crop yields, the spread of disease and the ability of people to earn a living.

Within three decades, heatwaves in India could become so extreme that even sitting in the shade could prove fatal and outdoor workers are likely to become less productive.

“Long-term projections indicate that Indian heatwaves could cross the survivability limit for a healthy human resting in the shade by 2050,” the study stated, citing previous research.

A parakeet is nourished with water mixed with multivitamins, after it was dehydrated during scorchingly hot weather in Ahmedabad, India. Reuters. Reuters
A parakeet is nourished with water mixed with multivitamins, after it was dehydrated during scorchingly hot weather in Ahmedabad, India. Reuters. Reuters
A vet administers an injection to an eagle at Jivdaya Charitable Trust, a rehabilitation centre for birds and animals, in Ahmedabad, where the temperature this week hit 45.8°C. Reuters
A vet administers an injection to an eagle at Jivdaya Charitable Trust, a rehabilitation centre for birds and animals, in Ahmedabad, where the temperature this week hit 45.8°C. Reuters
Birds falling from trees and the sky is a common occurrence every summer in India, but this year the instances have increased by 30 per cent. Reuters
Birds falling from trees and the sky is a common occurrence every summer in India, but this year the instances have increased by 30 per cent. Reuters
The Jivdaya Charitable Trust is treating birds and animals for dehydration, disorientation, fractures and other injuries due to the searing heat. Reuters
The Jivdaya Charitable Trust is treating birds and animals for dehydration, disorientation, fractures and other injuries due to the searing heat. Reuters
A labourer drinks water from a tanker at a construction site on a hot summer day in Noida. India is experiencing a heatwave in the northern and western parts of the country. Reuters
A labourer drinks water from a tanker at a construction site on a hot summer day in Noida. India is experiencing a heatwave in the northern and western parts of the country. Reuters
A man cools off under a pipe of flowing water on a hot summer day in New Delhi, India. Reuters
A man cools off under a pipe of flowing water on a hot summer day in New Delhi, India. Reuters
A man sleeps under a bridge in a bid to escape the searing heat in New Delhi. Reuters
A man sleeps under a bridge in a bid to escape the searing heat in New Delhi. Reuters
Men sleep in the shade on the banks of the Yamuna River. Reuters
Men sleep in the shade on the banks of the Yamuna River. Reuters
People shelter under a bridge from scorching heat in New Delhi. EPA
People shelter under a bridge from scorching heat in New Delhi. EPA
Cracked mud at the bottom of a dry pond on a hot day in Mauharia village in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Reuters
Cracked mud at the bottom of a dry pond on a hot day in Mauharia village in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Reuters
Cattle drink water at an abandoned stone quarry in Chipiya Abhaipur, Uttar Pradesh. Reuters
Cattle drink water at an abandoned stone quarry in Chipiya Abhaipur, Uttar Pradesh. Reuters

Writing in the journal PLOS One, the researchers said there was an “urgent” need for the impact of extreme weather on India to be better assessed.

“Estimates show a 15 per cent decrease in outdoor working capacity (ie working outdoors in high temperatures, eg construction worker) during daylight hours due to extreme heat by 2050,” they wrote.

The study examines the deaths of 25 people when India experienced its hottest ever March and its hottest April for 122 years last year.

Since 1992, heatwaves in India have claimed more than 24,000 lives, the paper highlighted, with public health and the economy experiencing an “incredibly high” burden.

READ MORE

Biden calls on major economies to shore up climate financing before Cop28

Climate change poses the biggest threat to global well-being and businesses, study finds

There are likely to be longer lasting and more frequent power cuts, increases in air pollution from dust and ozone, and the melting of glacier snow in India’s northern regions.

The first author of the study, Dr Ramit Debnath, of the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology, said it was “highly likely” that the intensification of heatwaves in India would lead to greater loss of life.

“Mortality will increase, as well as loss of livelihood due to recurrent heatwaves,” he said. "[An] emphasis on securing protection from heat impacts for low-income communities, especially in urban areas is crucial and climate finance mechanisms can help.”

The risks could be better communicated to the population when dangers are greatest, such as through SMS alerts on mobile phones.

“The other important step is to ensure the outdoor/manual labour working force has some sort of adaptive capacity from high heat and outdoor working conditions,” Dr Debnath said.

An elephant is given a cooling shower at a conservation reserve in Uttar Pradesh state. AFP
An elephant is given a cooling shower at a conservation reserve in Uttar Pradesh state. AFP
A boy bathes as he waits to collect water from a municipal tanker on a hot summer day in New Delhi. Reuters
A boy bathes as he waits to collect water from a municipal tanker on a hot summer day in New Delhi. Reuters
A woman fills a plastic container with drinking water from a municipal tanker in New Delhi. Reuters
A woman fills a plastic container with drinking water from a municipal tanker in New Delhi. Reuters
A boy jumps into a pond in Mumbai. Large parts of India are experiencing the hottest April on record. EPA
A boy jumps into a pond in Mumbai. Large parts of India are experiencing the hottest April on record. EPA
A man selling candy floss in Mumbai helps a water vendor who is using an umbrella as a parasol. AP
A man selling candy floss in Mumbai helps a water vendor who is using an umbrella as a parasol. AP
Men ride a motorcycle during a hot afternoon on the outskirts of New Delhi. EPA
Men ride a motorcycle during a hot afternoon on the outskirts of New Delhi. EPA
A boy eats an ice lolly on the outskirts of New Delhi. EPA
A boy eats an ice lolly on the outskirts of New Delhi. EPA
Women ride a motorised rickshaw in Amritsar. AFP
Women ride a motorised rickshaw in Amritsar. AFP
A boy drinks soda beside the Arabian Sea in Mumbai. AP
A boy drinks soda beside the Arabian Sea in Mumbai. AP
At a factory in New Delhi, a worker waits to load ice blocks on to a vehicle. Reuters
At a factory in New Delhi, a worker waits to load ice blocks on to a vehicle. Reuters
A child plays near a paddy field on the outskirts of Gauhati, Assam state. AP
A child plays near a paddy field on the outskirts of Gauhati, Assam state. AP
Men enjoy a slide at a water park in New Delhi. AFP
Men enjoy a slide at a water park in New Delhi. AFP
People take a dip in a wave pool at a water park in New Delhi. AFP
People take a dip in a wave pool at a water park in New Delhi. AFP
Youths use their helmets to pour water over themselves near a construction site on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Reuters
Youths use their helmets to pour water over themselves near a construction site on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Reuters
A labourer naps near sacks of vegetables in Jammu. AP
A labourer naps near sacks of vegetables in Jammu. AP
A boy bathes in the Ranbir Canal in Jammu. AP
A boy bathes in the Ranbir Canal in Jammu. AP
A man drinks water in Allahabad. AFP
A man drinks water in Allahabad. AFP
A woman covers her head with a plastic tub near Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers. AFP
A woman covers her head with a plastic tub near Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers. AFP
Men walk over the bed of the Yamuna River in search of recyclable material in New Delhi. Reuters
Men walk over the bed of the Yamuna River in search of recyclable material in New Delhi. Reuters
Residents of New Delhi fill containers with water from a municipal tanker. Bloomberg
Residents of New Delhi fill containers with water from a municipal tanker. Bloomberg

He also said there were measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of urban heat islands, which are areas that tend to heat up more than surrounding areas.

Providing more green spaces, which he said were fast being lost in India, would make it easier to cope with heatwaves.

The intensification of heatwaves will, the researchers said, hamper India’s efforts to reach the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals, which were adopted by countries in 2015 with the intention that they should be achieved by 2030.

“The core implication of this paper is that … extreme weather events will intensify the adverse effects on productivity, health, and well-being, potentially slowing down SDG progress,” the researchers wrote.

The research highlights possible effects on a wide variety of goals, including achieving energy security, reducing inequality and improving public health.

The effects will not be felt uniformly across India. West Bengal, in east India, and Andhra Pradesh, in the country’s south, face “extreme danger”.

Delhi, the capital, will face particular challenges, because it has highly concentrated slum populations and overcrowding in especially hot areas.

Overall, more parts of the country will be at risk than suggested by the Indian government’s own assessment, based on its Climate Vulnerability Index, which the researchers said should incorporate a heat index that takes into account temperature and humidity.

“A central message is it’s high time to think about reforming/improving climate vulnerability impact measures, especially for the Indian subcontinent, where it is critical to build adaptive capacity now,” Dr Debnath said.

On Women's Day
UAE currency
The%20Iron%20Claw
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sean%20Durkin%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zac%20Efron%2C%20Jeremy%20Allen%20White%2C%20Harris%20Dickinson%2C%20Maura%20Tierney%2C%20Holt%20McCallany%2C%20Lily%20James%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Brief scores:

Manchester United 4

Young 13', Mata 28', Lukaku 42', Rashford 82'

Fulham 1

Kamara 67' (pen),

Red card: Anguissa (68')

Man of the match: Juan Mata (Man Utd)

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

'The Ice Road'

Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne

2/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

On Women's Day
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results

ATP Dubai Championships on Monday (x indicates seed):

First round
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 6-1, 7-6 (7/5)
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x4) 6-4, 6-1
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x7) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4

While you're here
In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

While you're here
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Enterprise-grade%20security%20and%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Unlimited%20higher-speed%20GPT-4%20access%20with%20no%20caps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Longer%20context%20windows%20for%20processing%20longer%20inputs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20data%20analysis%20capabilities%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customisation%20options%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shareable%20chat%20templates%20that%20companies%20can%20use%20to%20collaborate%20and%20build%20common%20workflows%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Analytics%20dashboard%20for%20usage%20insights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Free%20credits%20to%20use%20OpenAI%20APIs%20to%20extend%20OpenAI%20into%20a%20fully-custom%20solution%20for%20enterprises%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SWEET%20TOOTH
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jim%20Mickle%2C%20Beth%20Schwartz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Christian%20Convery%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Price, base: Dh1,731,672

Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm

Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm

Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi

From: Dara

To: Team@

Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT

Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East

Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.

Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.

I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.

This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.

It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.

Uber on,

Dara

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
On Women's Day
Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

The Little Things

Directed by: John Lee Hancock

Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto

Four stars

Updated: April 21, 2023, 5:46 AM`
South AsiaAsiaIndiaClimate change