Climate change surges global heatwave crisis

New Delhi: Heatwaves are becoming a regular and dangerous part of life. All over the world, people are experiencing hotter days, longer summers, and unbearable heat. Scientists say this is not just natural weather, it’s a warning sign of something much bigger - climate change. A heatwave is a period of very hot weather that lasts for several days or more.

The Earth is getting warmer because of climate change. This warming is not just a random event—it’s largely caused by human activities like burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. When we burn these fuels, they release gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the air. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, acting like a blanket around the planet. This is called the greenhouse effect. As more greenhouse gases fill the air, the planet warms up. That’s what is called global warming. And global warming leads to extreme weather events—including heatwaves.

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Hot weather can seriously harm our health. During a heatwave, people may suffer from: Heatstroke – a serious condition where the body gets too hot and cannot cool down. Dehydration – when the body loses too much water. Exhaustion – extreme tiredness from the heat.

Elderly people, young children, and those with health problems are especially at risk. In very hot cities, people living in poorly ventilated homes or working outdoors (like labourers, farmers, or delivery workers) are even more vulnerable.