COLD WAVE

Context: The National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has issued an advisory following a dip in night temperatures across Telangana and other states.

What is a Cold Wave?

• Definition: A cold wave is a significant temperature drop below the normal climatological value for a region.
• Criteria (as per IMD):
  • Plains:
    • Minimum temperature is 10°C or less.
    • Negative departure from normal is 4.5°C to 6.4°C (Cold Wave).
    • Departure of more than 6.4°C is considered a Severe Cold Wave.
  • Hilly Regions:
    • Minimum temperature is 0°C or less.
  • Coastal Areas:
    • Minimum temperature is 15°C or less, with a negative departure of 4.5°C or more.

Season and Affected Regions

• Cold Wave Season: Extends from November to March, with peak events in December and January.
• Core Cold Wave Zone (States and UTs):
  • Telangana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.

Who is Most Vulnerable?

Certain population groups are at higher risk due to prolonged cold exposure:

• Homeless individuals
• Elderly population
• Economically disadvantaged groups
• Pregnant and lactating women
• Children
• Outdoor workers and farmers

Health Risks from Cold Waves

• Severe Health Issues:
  • Hypothermia: A dangerous drop in body temperature.
  • Frostbite: Freezing of skin and underlying tissues.
• Non-Freezing Cold Injuries:
  • Immersion Foot: Caused by prolonged exposure to cold, wet conditions.

Precautionary measures are crucial, especially for vulnerable groups, to prevent these cold-related health risks.