Urban Heat Island Effect

Urban Heat Island Effect

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is planning to introduce a ‘heat index’ warning system in Delhi.

What is Heatwave ?

• The Heatwave is considered when the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C for Plains and at least 30°C for Hilly regions
• A heatwave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, a common phenomenon in India during the months of May-June

Heat Index 

• Heat Index will calculate the temperature along with the humidity levels to provide a more accurate measure of what the temperature actually feels like.
• IMD is planning to introduce a color-coded warning system in India.
• Highly urbanized area, with large amounts of concrete, buildings, and asphalt. These surfaces absorb and retain heat, creating an urban heat island effect. This can make the temperature feel hotter than it actually is

Wet-Bulb Temperature  

• WBT is a limit that considers heat and humidity beyond which humans can not tolerate high temperatures.
• Wet bulb temperature is the lowest temperature to which air can be cooled by the evaporation of water into the air at a constant pressure
  
  Read more about Heat Waves.

Practice Questions for Prelims

With reference to Heatwaves and Urban Heat Islands, consider the following statements:
1.Heat islands can occur year-round during the day or night.
2.The maximum heat island effect is often three to five hours after dawn.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans. b)

Mains Practice Question

What is Urban Heat Island effect? Discuss its causes, impact and solutions.

Chetan Bharat Learning is the best institute in Chandigarh for UPSC IAS ,PCS preparation. To know more about Chetan Bharat Learning’s Online & Classroom Courses, click on the following links: