India Votes Amid Heat Wave Crisis: Climate Change Impacts Elections as Temperatures Hit Record Highs

Voters throughout India are casting ballots while battling scorching temperatures as a severe heat wave hits parts of the country, with forecasters predicting above-normal summer weather across much of South Asia through to the end of April. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned last month that this year’s hot spells are likely to be stronger and longer than usual due to temperatures higher than normal levels, causing particular concern as election campaigns see huge crowds gathering in open areas beneath fierce sunlight ahead of nationwide voting being extended for almost a fortnight until early May.
In the second phase of India’s mammoth elections on Friday, 13 states and union territories will be participating while temperatures are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in some areas. The IMD said that heat waves would affect parts of south and east India until the end of this week including four polling districts: West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka are among them with forecast temperatures over 40C (104F).
On Thursday Baripada in Odisha recorded a temperature high enough to hit 43.6 Celsius (110.4 Fahrenheit), while Telangana’s Khammam reached 43.4 Celsius (110.1 Fahrenheit) according to the IMD, which has warned that India is likely seeing more frequent and prolonged heat waves this year due to above-normal temperatures.
High temperatures have raised concerns as political rallies often involve thousands of people in open spaces during outdoor campaigning periods drawing widespread public attention across various regions including Maharashtra where a lawmaker collapsed from the intense heat while addressing supporters earlier last week. To mitigate the effects of heat waves ahead of polling days, an election commission task force has been formed by authorities to minimize their impact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired meetings aimed at improving preparations for what promises be long spells across some southern parts on Sunday according a tweet made from his official handle.
Despite the warnings, India’s Election Commission stated that there are “no major concerns” regarding heat waves during Friday’s polling and weather forecasts indicate “normal conditions” in constituencies voting at this time. However, officials have extended voting hours for some stations to help voters cope with the sweltering temperatures across Bihar where campaigners are working tirelessly on their election promises including ensuring drinkable water alongside taking shaded places when waiting lines or inside balloting venues are also advised in addition carrying umbrellas according guidelines drawn up by India’s Election Commission to minimize exposure to high levels of heat during the polling process.
The issue is not new, as last year successive heat waves hit both countries, leading to widespread loss of lives across the Indian subcontinent amid a raft of health issues and crop failures in some areas where temperatures soared above 47C (116F). In June alone, at least forty-four people were reported dead with hundreds more affected by various heatstroke conditions following intense heat levels which caused significant damage to crops across the region.
India is one of many countries around the world already grappling with some potentially devastating effects arising from climate change, where scientists have linked certain longer and stronger heat waves to global warming in recent years. In 2021 a severe heat wave that killed ninety people throughout India and Pakistan was found by experts at World Weather Attribution initiative to be thirty times more likely because of human-induced climate change.
The impact on the nation’s economy has also been highlighted with estimates showing hundreds of millions facing poverty, food insecurity or displacement as a result of rising sea levels, increased flooding and droughts according to recent studies conducted by researchers from various universities including Harvard University (US), London School Of Economics & Political Science (UK) amongst others. By 2050 temperatures are expected to surpass survivability limits in India which is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, say experts who have also warned that global warming could potentially trigger more frequent and intense heat waves across much of South Asia over time as well as other parts around the world where extreme weather conditions pose a serious threat.
The issue has not been widely debated during this year’s elections according analyst Aditya Valiathan Pillai who pointed out in an op-ed for CNN that climate impacts are shaping voter demands, albeit indirectly as people look to their elected representatives seeking greater support with issues related livelihood and welfare programs amid drought conditions or increased heat levels.
Extreme temperatures have already had a significant impact across much of Southeast Asia this year where hundreds of schools were closed in the Philippines due to prolonged periods of intense heat, while farmers throughout Vietnam are grappling with water shortages following record-breaking dry spells which experts say could potentially lead to food price hikes and further economic hardship for millions already struggling as a result of recent events.
The situation is expected to worsen this weekend as extreme weather warnings come into force in northern areas surrounding Hong Kong where the heat index – taking humidity levels into account – may exceed 38C (100F) according to local meteorological officials who have warned that temperatures could potentially reach record highs across some parts of southern China, while forecasters from neighboring Japan’s Meteorological Agency predict a heat wave will affect much of the country during coming days.
Elsewhere in Southeast Asia drought conditions are affecting farmers and residents throughout Indonesia’s Java province where authorities have declared an emergency as saltwater intrusion continues to contaminate drinking water supplies according reports published by Reuters, while experts say that temperatures exceeding 39C (102F) during March led to a significant increase in heatstroke cases across the region.
In neighboring Thailand rising sea levels continue posing problems for some residents along parts of southern and coastal areas where saltwater intrusion is affecting crops as well as drinking water supplies, while forecasters from both Hong Kong’s Observatory & Macau’s Meteorological Service warn that temperatures could potentially reach record highs across much of the region over coming days.
As climate change continues to take hold around the world, experts say it is likely we will see more frequent and intense heat waves in many parts of Asia as well as other regions where extreme weather conditions pose a serious threat to people’s lives and livelihoods alike – particularly those living closest to sea level or within areas most vulnerable to drought.