75% of Delhi is in the grip of ‘heat stress’, big revelation in LST report, more than 90% area affected
About 75% of Delhi is in the grip of ‘heat stress’. This claim has been made in a report prepared on the basis of Land Surface Temperature (LST). Surface temperatures in large parts of Delhi have been recorded much higher than normal, increasing heat stress in the city and intensifying the urban heat island effect. However, the report also says that some areas are relatively less affected. These include areas like Lutyens Delhi, Delhi Cantt and Civil Lines, where temperatures have been found to be comparatively lower due to greenery and less dense population.
Delhi is facing the scorching heat these days. The strong morning sun and hot winds have affected people’s lives. Amidst the continuous rise in temperature, many areas of the city are facing a serious situation of ‘heat stress’. According to a recent report by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), most of Delhi’s densely populated residential areas, unorganized colonies and industrial areas are most vulnerable to extreme heat.
According to the report, there is very little greenery in these areas and the number of reservoirs or water areas is also negligible. In such a situation, buildings, roads and other structural structures made of cement-concrete absorb the heat of the sun throughout the day. During the evening and night, these structures keep emitting heat, due to which the entire area starts heating like a furnace. Experts say this situation gives rise to the ‘urban heat island effect’, in which dense and concrete parts of the city have temperatures that are much higher than the surrounding relatively green areas.
90% of these corporation wards are burning
In the report released on ‘Heat Stress’, many such corporation wards have been identified where more than 90 percent of the areas are in the grip of extreme heat. According to the report, people living in these areas are facing the worst temperatures and hot environment. The corporation wards mentioned in the report as the most affected include areas like Budh Vihar, Kirari Suleman Nagar, Prem Nagar, Said-ul-Azab, Karawal Nagar West, Mahavir Enclave, Nilothi, Shiv Vihar, Pratap Vihar and Mustafabad.
analyzed like this
According to this report prepared on the basis of satellite images and Land Surface Temperature (LST) data, 98 percent of Delhi has recorded temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius at some point of time. According to the report, about 75.78 percent area of the capital has been facing heat stress continuously for the last six years. The study has specifically identified those areas where temperatures were recorded above 45 degrees Celsius for six consecutive years. The analysis has also revealed that the area of green cover and reservoirs in Delhi has decreased over time, due to which the effect of heat in the city has increased further. According to the report, surface temperatures are rising rapidly due to reduction in green areas and water bodies and the urban heat island effect is becoming more severe.
relief areas
Amidst the increasing heat stress in Delhi, there are some areas where the effect of temperature has been found to be relatively less. According to the report based on satellite images and land surface temperature (LST) data, greener areas like Lutyens Delhi, Delhi Cantonment Board and Civil Lines have recorded less heat stress. The report states that due to planned construction, wide roads, adequate green areas and presence of dense vegetation in these areas, less heat is absorbed. Apart from this, the effect of heat stress was found to be comparatively less in areas like Model Town, Rohini, Vasant Vihar, Hauz Khas and Mayur Vihar.
Rajneesh Sarin, program director of the Sustainable Habitat Program of the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), said that it is very important to expand greenery and water bodies in the city. According to him, Delhi needs to be developed in a more planned manner so that the effects of rising heat can be reduced. He suggested that such materials should be used in building construction which absorb less heat. Also, the roofs of buildings should also be designed in such a way that they absorb minimum heat.
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