Heat Index

22nd July, 2023 Environment

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Context

In Rajya sabha, Union minister of Earth sciences, Kiren Rijiju informed that a head index on experimental basis is released by India Meteorological Department (IMD).
It will provide general guidance for the warmer regions of India where high temperature is causing discomfort for the people

Heat Index

This index is developed on the lines of the heat index equation used by National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USA.
For Bhubaneshwar and Ahmedabad heat index is created under Heat Action Plan which is being done under project mode by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Many local agencies like Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) are helping NDMA for this.
For entire country the heat index will be issued every day in weather bulletins.

Significance

It will help people in understanding the impact of humidity on the high temperatures.
The information provided by this index could be utilized to identify the heat implications to humans and to understand temperature ranges which are causing discomfort.
It will also help in guiding people to take additional care in order to reduce the discomfort.
It will provide day's minimum and maximum temperatures and also will inform what the existing temperature feels like.
It will utilize air temperature and relative humidity data.
However it is experimental and there is a need to change and validate this according to the Indian conditions.