Severe Heatwave in Punjab & Haryana

🗓 Date: June 14, 2025

📌 Source: The Indian Express → “The severe heatwave will persist over Punjab and Haryana from June 11 to 14…”

✍️ Summary

A significant heatwave continues across Punjab and Haryana, with temperatures reaching record highs over the weekend. The India Meteorological Department forecasts that this extreme weather may persist until June 14. The situation poses serious risks to agricultural output, energy consumption, and public health, especially among vulnerable rural populations.

🎯 UPSC Relevance

• GS3 – Environment & Disaster Management: Heatwaves classified as natural disasters; understanding mitigation strategies.
• GS3 – Agriculture: Impact on crop yield and food security.
• GS2 – Health: Public health response, heatstroke protocols, and cooling centers.

📖 Vocabulary

• Heatwave: Prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity.
• Vulnerable Population: Groups at greater risk, often due to socioeconomic or health factors.
• Mitigation Measures: Actions to reduce severity (e.g., water distribution, advisories, early warning systems).

💡 Answer Writing Tip

Integrate this example in questions like:

“Discuss the strategies and challenges of managing climate-induced health crises in India.”
Use intro with IMD definition, body with state/farmer response and public health measures, conclusion on strengthening adaptation frameworks.

📝 Practice Question

“Evaluate the role of the state government and IMD in managing heatwave disasters. Suggest measures to improve resilience in agrarian communities.”