Delhi endured 105 heatwave days in last decade, productivity takes a toll

North India’s share in total heatwave days rising; heatwaves impacted production in May 2024

The Indian Meteorological Department, has issued a red alert for Delhi and neighbouring areas on June 18, indicating higher maximum temperature in the coming days.

The national capital could brace for a jump in heatwave days in 2024.

A Moneycontrol analysis of recently released data by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) had shown that Delhi has experienced 105 heatwave days between 2010 and 2023. Out of these, while the capital witnessed just four heatwave days last year, during 2022 this figure rose to 17.

The IMD classifies a day as heatwave day if the maximum temperature is 4.5-6.4 degree Celsius above normal, or if actual temperatures cross 45 degree Celsius for two consecutive days.

The national capital ranked eleventh in terms of heatwave days between 2010 and 2023, with Rajasthan and Odisha topping the list with 167 and 142 heat wave days.

HEATWAVES AND ECONOMY

Besides the debilitating impact on health, severe heatwaves impact the economy adversely, hurting productivity. The Purchasing Managers’ Index released by HSBC earlier this month showed that both manufacturing and service sector activity declined in May owing to disruption due to severe heatwaves.

Manufacturing activity declined to its lowest level in three months with the purchasing managers’ index easing to 57.5 in May compared with 58.8 in the previous month.

“The pace of expansion slowed, led by a softer rise in new orders and output. Panelists cited heatwaves as a reason for lower work hours in May, which may have affected production volumes,” Maitreyi Das, global economist, HSBC had said in the report.

Services activity too experienced a dip during this month, with the index falling to its lowest value in five months.

Heatwaves have also affected inflation keeping prices of vegetables, fruits and other food items elevated. Although retail inflation declined to 4.8% in May, food inflation remained sticky at 8.7%. Sequentially too, prices were higher in May compared with the previous month.

Further analysis of government data shows that heatwaves have been afflicting northern states more than other areas.

The ratio of these states in number of heatwave days experienced by the country rose to 54.5% between 2021-23, compared with below 50% earlier. Central India’s share also rose during this period.

“The Heat wave spell is very likely to continue over northwest India and extend to some parts of eastern India with gradual decrease in intensity and spatial coverage during 14th -20th June 2024. Severe Heat Wave conditions are likely over some places of northwest India during this period,” a weather service report had said on June 13.

Parts of UP had already experienced 5 heatwave days between June 6-12, according to IMD data.