Heat has once again set a record in Banda, Uttar Pradesh.
In Banda, Uttar Pradesh, the temperature has reached 48.2 degrees Celsius amid the scorching heat. Heat wave is going on. There is silence on the streets. This is not the first time this has happened. Banda of Uttar Pradesh comes into discussion every summer. There is only one reason. intense heat. Many times the temperature here reaches 46, 47, 48 degrees Celsius or even above. People say that Banda became a furnace. It is not just a matter of speaking. It actually becomes possible. There are clear scientific reasons behind this.
Its geographical location, air, soil, moisture, trees and plants and changing climate, all together make this area extremely hot. Let us understand why Banda becomes so hot every year? What are the 5 big reasons behind this?
Banda comes in Bundelkhand region. This area is already considered hot and dry. Here the sun rays are very strong in summer. The ground heats up quickly. There is less moisture in the air. Clouds form less. On top of that, lack of water and decline in greenery makes the situation more difficult. For this reason, the heat is not only felt in Banda, but sometimes reaches dangerous levels.
1- That’s why both the land and the air are hot here
The biggest identity of Banda is its geographical location. It is located in that part of Bundelkhand where the nature of summer is already harsh. Even the hills or dense forests are not enough to balance the temperature. Therefore both land and air heat up rapidly. The temperature remains controlled to some extent in the areas near the sea. There is more humidity there. There is some coolness in the air also. But this does not happen in interior areas like Banda.
The land of Banda is dry and rocky, such land heats up quickly. Photo :PTI
Here the land absorbs strong sunlight during the day. Then the same heat heats the surrounding air. Due to this process the day temperature goes up very high. The surface of Bundelkhand is also hard, dry and rocky in many places. Such land heats up quickly. When there is less moisture on the ground, the sun’s energy heats the soil more. This is the reason why heat like conditions arise here in the afternoon.
2- Lack of moisture in the air and dry heat
Summer is not determined by temperature alone. The nature of wind also matters a lot. The humidity in the air is often very low during summer in Banda. Less humidity means that the possibility of cloud formation decreases. When there are fewer clouds, more direct rays of the sun will fall on the ground. This will heat the surface more quickly. Hot and dry winds coming from north-west and west direction also have an impact. These winds later take the form of heat wave.
Loo is actually very hot and dry air. It draws water from the body rapidly. Therefore, in places like Banda, not only the thermometer readings are a problem, but the blow of hot wind also becomes a big problem. From a scientific point of view, when there is less moisture in the air, a large part of the energy received from the sun is used to heat the ground. If the soil were wet, some of this energy would be spent in evaporating water. This is the reason why the temperature rises rapidly in dry areas.
There is often very little humidity in the air during summer in Banda, which is why there are less clouds and more sunshine. Photo :PTI
3- Water crisis, dry soil and reduction in evaporation
Shortage of water is an old problem of Banda and entire Bundelkhand. When water sources become weak, ponds dry up, there is less water in canals and the soil in the fields dries up, then the heat increases further. The reason for this is an important scientific process called evaporation. When there is enough water in the ground, plants and water sources, some of the sun’s heat is spent converting the water into steam. Due to this, the surrounding temperature remains somewhat controlled. This can be called a kind of cooling system of nature. But when the land is dry, ponds are empty and there is no moisture left in the fields, then this natural coolness reduces.
This problem is seen again and again in Banda. Low rainfall, uneven rainfall, pressure on groundwater and weakness of surface water sources make the summer more harsh. Dry soil catches the sun’s heat quickly. Then it remains hot throughout the day. It keeps releasing heat into the air till evening. Due to this the night temperature can also remain high. That means water shortage is not just a problem of farming. It is also a factor in directly increasing the temperature.
Low rainfall, uneven rainfall, pressure on groundwater and weakness of surface water sources make the summer more harsh. Photo :PTI
4- Reduction in greenery and heat islands
Trees and plants play a big role in keeping any area cool. Trees provide shade. Release water vapor from the leaves. This reduces the surrounding temperature. But where greenery decreases, heat increases. In many parts of Banda and surrounding areas, the number of trees, dense green belt and traditional water-forest system is no longer as strong as before. In rural and town areas too, paved roads, cement, concrete, tin roofs and open barren lands have increased. These surfaces absorb sunlight rapidly. Then it holds the heat for a long time. Due to this, a heat island effect starts forming at the local level.
If there are less trees in an area, the open soil is dry and concrete constructions have increased, then a lot of heat accumulates there during the day. There is less relief even at night. This problem seems to be gradually deepening in the urban and semi-urban parts of Banda.
5- Premature heat and prolonged effect
The fifth and biggest reason is climate change. Now summer is not just following the old pattern. The weather is becoming more extreme. The days of heatwave are increasing. Sometimes the heat starts early. Sometimes it persists for a long time. And sometimes the temperature goes very high within a few days. Scientific data shows that as global temperatures rise, local heatwaves may also become more intense. This effect is being felt more in the northern, central and north-western parts of India. Already hot and dry areas like Banda are more sensitive to climate change. Because there is already less water here, greenery is limited and the natural means to balance the heat are weak.
Already hot and dry areas like Banda are more sensitive to climate change because there is less water here. Photo: PTI
When the global background temperature increases, local heat events increase. Climate change does not just mean increasing the average temperature. This means increasing uncertainty of weather. Sometimes very little rain. Sometimes sudden heavy rain. Sometimes long drought and sometimes dangerous heat wave. Banda is a region caught between all these influences.
What could be the solutions?
The problem is difficult, but there are ways. Local water sources will have to be revived. Ponds, wells, reservoirs and rainwater harvesting will have to be promoted. Trees will have to be planted in both villages and cities. Not only plantation but also their conservation is important. Shade species, native species and green belts can help. In cities and towns, policies like cool roofs, light colored surfaces, protection of open soil and water conservation can be useful. Moisture saving techniques, mulching, drought-tolerant crops and micro irrigation can be useful in fields. Also, a heat action plan is needed. People should be warned in time. Schools, hospitals, panchayats and administration should all be ready.
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