Thiruvananthapuram, April 19 (UNI) Kerala’s coastal districts are increasingly vulnerable to humid heatwaves during breaks in the summer monsoon, a new international study has warned, highlighting serious health risks and the urgent need for advance preparedness.
The research, led by scientists from the University of Reading in the UK and published in the journal Climate Dynamics, identifies a growing pattern in which coastal regions experience dangerous heat stress driven not just by high temperatures but by a combination of heat and elevated humidity.
Unlike conventional heatwaves, these humid conditions are caused by high moisture levels in the atmosphere, which hinder the human body’s natural cooling process. Experts caution that such environments can lead to rapid overheating, cardiovascular stress and even heatstroke within hours, even when temperatures appear moderate.
“Kerala’s coastal districts are more prone to humid heatwaves during the summer monsoon compared to inland areas. The risk increases significantly during monsoon break phases,” said Dr Akshay Deoras, lead author of the study.
The study uses the concept of Wet-bulb temperature to assess the severity of these events. Higher wet-bulb temperatures indicate conditions where sweating becomes ineffective, significantly increasing the risk to human health.
Researchers emphasised that the findings have major implications for disaster preparedness. According to the study, humid heatwave conditions can be forecast up to four weeks in advance, offering a crucial window for authorities to take preventive measures.
This lead time could enable the mobilisation of healthcare systems, establishment of cooling centres, rescheduling of school hours and ensuring stable power supply during peak demand, the study noted.
The analysis is based on 84 years of atmospheric data from 1940 to 2023, including the ERA5 global reanalysis dataset and rainfall records from the India Meteorological Department. Researchers examined 261 active monsoon phases and 188 break periods to track variations in humid heatwave risk.
The study was conducted in collaboration with the University of Leeds, the UK Met Office and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
Scientists noted that while dry heatwaves are widely recognised across India, humid heat remains poorly understood despite posing a potentially greater threat, underscoring the need for increased public awareness and targeted policy response.
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