Punjab, Haryana Out-Heat Rajasthan's Deserts!

Northwest India is currently facing an intense heatwave, with cities in Punjab and Haryana recording temperatures that rival or surpass those in Rajasthan's traditionally hotter desert areas. This phenomenon is driven by a combination of climate change and specific regional factors.

Factors contributing to the extreme heat in Punjab and Haryana include extensive wheat-paddy monocropping, which has altered ecological balance. Practices like stubble burning after harvests, excessive groundwater extraction, and declining tree cover weaken the region's natural cooling capacity. Increased humidity, stemming from irrigation and cultivation, also makes the heat feel more severe.

Compounding the issue is the urban heat island effect, where concrete infrastructure absorbs and retains heat, leading to significantly warmer nights. Rapid urbanization, industrial clusters, and reduced vegetation further trap heat, preventing cities from cooling down sufficiently after sunset. This contrasts with Rajasthan's typically drier atmosphere, which allows for faster cooling.

This escalating heat trend poses serious risks to agriculture and public health. Early heat exposure has already impacted wheat productivity this year. Experts warn that continued extreme temperatures, especially persistent warm nights, are more dangerous for human health and could threaten dairy farming, vegetable cultivation, and groundwater sustainability in the coming weeks.