Warmest Year in Recorded History Inflicts a Massive Human Toll in India

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has said that the last decade was the warmest decade since the 19th century with temperatures a whopping 13.3 Degrees higher than the average for the 20th century.2010 is turning out to be a fitting finale for the decade with this year being on track to be the warmest year ever. It promises to be even hotter than 1998 and 2005 which were the previous record setters. The disastrous effects of the record heat has been felt the most in the Northern India states which have been reeling under the heat . The record heat has led to an acute water shortage in many of the cities,Heat Strokes leading to over 300 hospitalizations in the state of Gujarat alone and Famine like situations with water bodies drying up.The authorities are expecting the temperature to go as high as 50 Degrees Celsius (122 Degrees Fahrenheit) before the end of the Indian Summer.The end of summer is marked by the onset of the Monsoon (Rainy) Season which starts in most parts of India by mid of June.

While the causes of these record high temperatures over the last 20 years can’t be conclusively proven , it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that increasing human activities leading to high GHG emissions is playing an important part in increasing global warming.While climate skeptics hold sway attacking the IPCC scientists and strong fossil fuel lobbies play on the doubts in the minds of the common people , the ill-effects are getting too strong to ignore.Not only India but the whole world is facing record high temperatures and the consequent deleterious effects . It seems high time for the countries to stop playing their political games and agree on a global agreement on climate change mitigation.

Hundreds die in Indian heatwave – Gurdian

Record temperatures in northern India have claimed hundreds of lives in what is believed to be the hottest summer in the country since records began in the late 1800s.The death toll is expected to rise with experts forecasting temperatures approaching 50C (122F) in coming weeks. More than 100 people are reported to have died in the state of Gujarat where the mercury topped at 48.5C last week. At least 90 died in Maharashtra, 35 in Rajasthan and 34 in Bihar.

Hospitals in Gujarat have been receiving around 300 people a day suffering from food poisoning and heat stroke, ministers said. Officials admit the figures are only a fraction of the total as most of the casualties are found in remote rural villages.