Rising February Temperatures in Kerala: A Harbinger of 2025’s Heat Wave
This article examines the rising temperatures in Kerala during February, suggesting potential climate change consequences for the state in 2025. It highlights insights from Neetha K. Gopal of the Indian Meteorological Department concerning rising temperatures, the threat of heat waves, and the need for proactive measures to protect agriculture and public health amidst ongoing climate challenges.
Kerala, with its distinctive geographic features, experiences a climate pattern that deviates from that of the broader Indian subcontinent, interspersing winter, summer, and rainy seasons. However, climate change has exacerbated calamities within the state, evidenced by the record heat of 2024, raising concerns that 2025 may continue this troubling trend. The Indian Meteorological Department’s head for Kerala noted that while February temperatures have varied slightly, higher temperatures during this month are part of a transitional phase leading into summer.
Neetha K. Gopal, the Head of IMD Kerala, explained that Kerala typically lacks the harsh winters experienced in northern India. February signifies a transitional phase from winter to summer, leading to greater fluctuations in both minimum and maximum temperatures. She cited a specific example of Thiruvananthapuram’s temperature on February 2, which reached 35 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees above the normal level, suggesting forthcoming hotter days without the prospect of rain or cloud cover for at least another week.
The observed temperature increases have been identified as consequences of climate change, impacting agriculture and livestock in Kerala’s sensitive ecosystems. Long-term strategies are imperative for safeguarding these sectors, and government ministries are urged to take action. Gopal asserted that the IMD provides regular weather forecasts that are crucial for various government departments to prepare for climatic challenges.
Rising temperatures threaten to establish heat wave conditions. Gopal emphasized that most residents of Kerala, accustomed to average temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius, would find a rise to 40 degrees Celsius substantially detrimental to health, agriculture, animal welfare, and the state’s economic stability. With summer beginning in March, the need for vigilance increases as the sun’s rays become more direct.
The World Meteorological Organization corroborated that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with prior decades consistently ranking among the warmest years. Each degree of global warming is projected to result in a 7 percent increase in extreme daily rainfall. Given this projected rise in temperature and rainfall, urgent measures are required to prepare Kerala’s vulnerable regions for escalating climatic conditions.
The article discusses Kerala’s unique climate, impacted significantly by climate change, as evidenced by increasing temperatures and extreme weather events. It highlights a concerning trend in temperature increases that has been observed during February, a month signaling the transition from winter to summer in the state, which may lead to challenges in health, agriculture, and the economy. The Indian Meteorological Department’s insights and recommendations regarding these climatic changes are emphasized to underscore the urgency for adaptive strategies.
In conclusion, the rising mercury levels in February are indicative of broader climate change impacts affecting Kerala, suggesting a worrying trend toward continued high temperatures. The IMD stresses the importance of monitoring and planning for these changes, as they carry significant implications for public health, agriculture, and the economy. To mitigate these challenges, proactive measures and long-term strategies must be enacted to protect the state’s ecological and economic well-being.
Original Source: www.onmanorama.com
