North India’s summer heat has always been linked with Rajasthan’s deserts and hot loo winds and for decades cities like Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur were considered among the hottest places in the country during the months of May and June however the ongoing heatwave across northern India is now showing a major shift as several cities in Punjab and Haryana are recording temperatures that are equal to and in some cases even higher than parts of Rajasthan.
This changing weather pattern has become a serious concern for climate experts and according to experts the issue is not just about rising temperatures as it is also about changing farming patterns, shrinking green cover, increasing humidity and rapid urbanisation that are making the heat more intense and uncomfortable in Punjab and Haryana.
This year’s heatwave has spread across a large part of northwest India and heatwaves are common during April and May in this region but scientists say intensity and spread of heat this year has been unusual and they further explain that areas that earlier did not experience extreme desert like conditions are now seeing dangerously high temperatures.
According to weather experts the Indo-Gangetic plains including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are now facing stronger and longer heatwaves and during the recent spell several Indian cities were counted among the hottest places in the world.
Cities in Uttar Pradesh such as Banda and Prayagraj recorded temperatures close to 48°C and along with this Punjab and Haryana also witnessed severe heat conditions. On May 21 Bathinda in Punjab recorded a maximum temperature of 45.6°C while Sirsa in Haryana touched 45.8 degrees Celsius and what surprised many experts here was that these temperatures were even higher than several cities in Rajasthan as Jaipur recorded around 42°C, Jodhpur 41.5°C, Bikaner 44°C and Jaisalmer around 42°C during the same period while even Sri Ganganagar which is traditionally considered one of Rajasthan’s hottest regions recorded 45.1°C which was lower than both Bathinda and Sirsa.
Experts believe climate change is one of the biggest reasons behind this changing weather trend and rising global temperatures are increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves across many parts of the world however experts say Punjab and Haryana are facing additional local problems that are making the heat stronger and among them one major reason being discussed is the change in farming practices over the years as agriculture experts believe that decades of wheat and paddy monocropping have disturbed natural ecological balance in these states.
Large scale groundwater extraction for farming has reduced water levels underground and at the same time tree cover and biodiversity have declined significantly. Experts also point towards stubble burning after wheat harvesting during April and May which affects air quality and increases environmental stress.
After wheat harvesting huge areas of agricultural land remain bare and these open dry surfaces absorb heat from sun very quickly causing temperatures to rise sharply during peak summer months.
Experts also say irrigation systems and farming activities are adding more moisture into the atmosphere as paddy nursery cultivation and summer maize farming increase humidity levels in Punjab and Haryana while humidity may sound harmless it actually makes heat feel much more uncomfortable.
This is one of the key reasons why temperatures in Punjab and Haryana feel harsher than similar temperatures in Rajasthan as Rajasthan’s climate is generally much drier, this dry air allows heat to escape more quickly after sunset and in contrast humid conditions trap heat and make nights warmer.
Scientists are especially worried because Punjab and Haryana are not only seeing extreme daytime temperatures but also unusually warm nights and warm nights are considered dangerous during heatwaves because human body does not get enough time to cool down and recover from daytime heat stress and talking about the same environmental experts say cities and towns in these states are increasingly turning into “heat-trap” areas.
Rapid urbanisation is another major reason behind this problem as concrete buildings, roads, highways and industrial areas absorb heat during the day and slowly release it at night and this is known as “urban heat island effect” as cities expand and green areas reduce nighttime temperatures remain high for longer periods.
Forest cover data also highlights the seriousness of the issue as Punjab currently has one of the lowest forest cover percentages in India and according to official reports Punjab’s forest cover is around 3.67, % while Haryana’s is around 3.7%. Rajasthan despite being known as a desert state has slightly better forest cover at around 4.8 to 4.9% and experts say this lack of greenery is reducing natural cooling effect in Punjab and Haryana. Trees and green spaces help lower temperatures by providing shade and releasing moisture into air naturally.
Public health experts say heatwaves are becoming a growing health emergency in India as extreme heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke especially among elderly people, children and labourers working outside and warm nights make the situation worse because body remains under stress for a longer time and high humidity also increases discomfort and raises risk of health complications.
Climate experts believe the changing heat pattern in Punjab and Haryana should be seen as an important warning sign and if heatwaves continue to become stronger and more frequent the region could face long-term challenges linked to farming, water shortage, health problems and rural livelihoods.
Experts belive that there is a need for better urban planning, increased tree plantation, protection of water bodies and more sustainable farming methods to reduce the impact of extreme heat in the coming years.