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The heat is wreaking havoc, the impact is being felt more than the temperature.

It is summer month. Heat is natural but when the temperature is low and the feeling is high then it is common to start discussing its reason. The same is happening this year also. An average temperature of 40-42 degrees Celsius has been recorded in North India in April but it feels like the temperature is much higher than this. People have started discussing that if the situation is like this in April, then how will May-June be?

Let us try to understand its reasons and reality. What does science think about this? What are the actual facts?It is common today to feel heat like 46 degrees in a temperature of 40 degrees. Many people say that the temperature is 40-42 degrees Celsius, but the body feels much hotter than this. It is not just a matter of feeling. There are solid scientific reasons behind this. Anyway, due to the way forests are being cut, greenery is decreasing from city to village. Trees are not being planted in the proportion in which they are being cut. Even if they are planted somewhere, trees do not give us relief in a day, a month or a year. As trees grow old, they give us relief. It can be said that we are paying the price of development.

What is heat index?

The biggest reason for this is the heat index. This is the combined effect of temperature and humidity. When there is more humidity in the air, sweat does not dry quickly. Sweat cools the body, but when it does not dry, the body remains warm. For this reason, 40-42 degrees Celsius feels as hot as 45-46.

Humidity also has an effect

Due to increase in moisture in the air, the cooling process of the body slows down. Sweat remains accumulated on the skin. This does not provide relief to the body. This is the reason why it feels more hot even on the sea shore or in the rainy season.

If the wind keeps blowing, then the heat is felt less. The wind dries the sweat. This cools the body. But when the air stops, the heat increases. Tall buildings in cities block the passage of air. This causes more heat.

urban heat island effect

There is more concrete and asphalt in cities. These surfaces absorb the sun's heat directly. Then slowly release it. For this reason the heat persists even at night. Due to less number of trees there is no shade available. For this reason cities feel hotter than villages.

Impact of climate change and intense sunlight

The earth's temperature has also increased in the last few years. Heat wave incidents have increased. Hot winds last longer. Due to this the body does not get a chance to cool down. This is the reason why even normal temperature feels hotter. The sun's rays fall directly during the afternoon. There are more UV rays at this time. These heat the body rapidly. If you are in the open, you are bound to feel hotter than the actual temperature.

lack of water, effect of clothes

Every person's stamina is different. If there is lack of water in the body, then it feels more hot. Dehydration impairs body temperature control. This can also cause fatigue and dizziness.

Dark colored clothes absorb more heat. Tight clothes do not allow air to come in. Due to this the body gets heated quickly. Wearing light colored and loose clothes helps in reducing the heat.

Surface temperature, effect of pollution and heat of machines and vehicles.

The weather department tells the air temperature. But the temperature of ground, road and walls can be higher than this. Black roads heat up quickly. Staying near them makes you feel more warm. Dust and pollution present in the air trap heat. This increases the effect of temperature. Polluted air makes the body tired quickly. Due to this, heat is felt more.

In cities, ACs, vehicles and factories continuously release heat. This increases the surrounding temperature. This also increases the heat felt.

preventive measures

Some easy measures can be adopted to avoid heat. Drink enough water. Avoid exposure to sunlight, especially in the afternoon. Wear light and loose clothes. Try to keep the house cool. Take light and nutritious food. Take rest and do not tire your body too much.

Meteorologist Dr. Anand Sharma says that temperature alone is not the correct measure of heat. Humidity, wind, atmosphere and body condition together decide how much heat we will feel. Therefore even a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius may seem like 46 degrees Celsius. If we understand these reasons and take precautions, we can protect ourselves from extreme heat.

Dinesh Pathak

Basically the reader. Writer by profession. Born on the land of Kabir. Maryada Purushottam was brought up and educated in Ayodhya, the land of Shri Ram. Started career from Lucknow on the banks of Adi Ganga. Sangam Teere Prayagraj, symbol of love From the shadow of Taj Mahal to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, Kanpur famous as industrial city and while working on the land of Baba Gorakhnath, learned something or the other from scholars, current affairs, youth, parenting, politics, administration, villages, farms and farmers favorite topics. Gossiping with youth in school, college and university is an additional source of energy. This reader's writing journey, which started from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, in the year 1992, reached the smart phone via pen, desktop, laptop keyboard. As age is increasing, the hunger for learning, reading and writing is also increasing. Was editor at five centers in Hindustan newspaper. Five books on youth and parenting. Doordarshan made a serial on a book 'Bas Thoda Sa'.

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