Climate change has brought a huge rise in risk of extreme events of heat, says the scientists and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for a severe heatwave in several parts of India.

As per IMD predictions, temperatures across various parts of the country are projected to stay significantly higher than usual over the next few days and temperatures may get worse with heat wave over the western, northern and eastern parts. The warnings follow the current fears of increased temperatures due to the transforming weather patterns and trends of climate change over decades and years.

Extreme heat (heatwave) can cause severe impacts on human health, on agricultural and food production systems, on water resources and on energy infrastructure. Seniors, children and outdoor workers are especially susceptible to heat-related illness—such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Many regions in India have seen their risk of extreme heatwaves triple over the last few decades, according to climate scientists. Increased greenhouse gas emissions have led to higher mean temperatures as well as a greater likelihood or severity of periods of extreme heat.

Scientists stress that a continuing increase in temperature helps to diminish their efficient natural regulating mechanisms, leading to more frequent record-breaking "heat days".

Members of the public are being encouraged to take protective actions such as drinking plenty of fluids, limiting outdoor activity between 11am and 6pm, and monitoring vulnerable relatives and neighbours. Heat-action plans are also being prepared including arrangements for early warning and community cooling centres and for schools and workplaces, respectively.

While taking measures of public health actions, experts have recommended that there should be a need for a longer-term solution as well to reduce risks arising out of exposure to excessive heat. Adaptation measures at the community level may include greening the environment, building climate-resistant structures, and cutting down emissions.

At a time when heatwave is approaching in India, both the meteorologist and the climate scientist have reminded the citizens that increased temperatures not only occur seasonally but are also a part of their climatic pattern that requires appropriate action.