IMD heat index will give you the real feel of weather

Dr SN Pandey, the chief scientist, weather department, CS Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, said the university will give the heat index readings of the city

Updated on: Apr 7, 2023, 23:09:59 IST

By Haidar Naqvi, Kanpur

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Instead of giving people general information about sultry, chilly or rainy conditions, the India meteorological department (IMD) will soon tell them what exactly weather would feel like by issuing heat index (also called “real feel” temperature) readings for weather stations across India, including Kanpur.

The heat index is what the temperature feels like to human body when relative humidity is combined with air temperature. (For Representation)

Dr SN Pandey, the chief scientist, weather department, CS Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, said the university will give the heat index readings of the city. “The heat index will be released city wise every day. It will end the standard practice of analysing the heat on basis on mere temperature,” he added.

The heat index, or apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to human body when relative humidity is combined with air temperature. Working on the formula to calculate the heat index, the weather scientists were considering meteorological factors like relative humidity, minimum and maximum temperatures, wind speed, duration of heat wave spell.

On the basis heat index readings, the university will also issue a colour-based warning—red, yellow, and orange—listing the precautions one should take based on the temperatures.

“The IMD has asked the university to share the entire data for the region. The heat index readings become important as recent studies of IMD scientists found heat waves increased by 25% during the 2010 and 2019 as compared to 2000 and 2009. The mortality rate during this period also increased by 27%,” Dr Pandey said.

He also said the heat waves were likely to cause an increase in heat stress, a condition in which core temperature of body rises as it is unable to regulate the heat.

“It has come out in a recent study the difference between temperature and heat index was of seven degrees Celsius during the last week of May last year,” he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Haidar Naqvi
Haidar Naqvi is an Assistant Editor with the Hindustan Times in Kanpur and has been with the newspaper since May 1997, after beginning his journalism career with The Times of India. Over more than three decades, he has reported on terrorism, internal security, politics, governance and public affairs, with a particular focus on the changing nature of extremist movements in India.From 2008 to 2011, Haidar was part of the Hindustan Times National Reporting Team, contributing to coverage of some of the country's most significant security stories. He was among the reporters who covered the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as they unfolded and continued reporting on the investigation that exposed the conspiracy behind them.His reporting has followed the rise and evolution of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the Indian Mujahideen and India's counter-terrorism response, alongside extensive coverage of organised crime and the underworld. He has also reported on Indian Mujahideen serial blasts, the Maoist insurgency, communal riots, parliamentary and assembly elections, and major political developments. Over the years, he has interviewed political leaders, senior police officers, intelligence officials and policymakers, while reporting from communities affected by violence, conflict and public policy.Beyond national security, Haidar has covered politics, minority affairs, governance, wildlife and human-interest stories across Central Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand. A recipient of the coveted Hindustan Times' Star Award, he brings historical perspective, field experience and institutional knowledge to reporting on the intersection of security, governance and society.Read More