An Indian court has recommended the government declare a national emergency due to the ongoing heatwave in the country, citing the deaths of hundreds of people during weeks of extreme weather.
India is currently experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in several cities.
The High Court in Rajasthan, a state heavily affected by the heatwave, criticized authorities for not taking adequate measures to protect the public from the extreme temperatures.
“Due to the severe heatwave, hundreds of people have lost their lives this month,” stated the court on Thursday.Â
“We only have one planet, and if we do not act decisively now, we risk jeopardizing the future of generations to come.”
The court instructed the state government to establish compensation funds for families of individuals who perish as a result of heat-related illnesses.
Regarding the current heatwave and similar events in the future, the court suggested that India start categorizing them as “national calamities”.
This designation would enable the mobilization of emergency relief efforts similar to those for floods, cyclones, and other natural disasters.
While India is accustomed to high summer temperatures, studies show that climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent, and more severe.
With temperatures skyrocketing in New Delhi this week, the city’s power consumption reached a new record on Wednesday in a population of around 30 million.
Scientists attribute the intense heat impact in India to human-induced climate change and emphasize the need for urgent action.
As the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, India has pledged to achieve a net zero emissions economy by 2070 — twenty years later than most industrialized nations.
Currently, the country heavily relies on coal for energy production.
The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is seeking a third term in the ongoing elections, views coal as essential in meeting India’s growing energy demands and lifting millions out of poverty.
str-ash/gle/rsc
