Many countries across the world are issuing warnings in the wake of unprecedented wave of scorching heat. From the United States to Europe, Japan, and China, record-breaking temperatures are exacerbating concerns about global warming and its consequences. Italy, in particular, is bracing for historic highs.The European Space Agency has even warned that temperatures on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia could reach as high as 48 degrees Celsius, potentially breaking records for the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe.
In China, the weather has been characterized by intense heatwaves and heavy rains, resulting in significant challenges for affected areas. India, on the contrary, is contending with relentless monsoon rains, which have already claimed the lives of at least 90 people. The Yamuna River in New Delhi has reached a record high, which has threatened low-lying neighborhoods in the city. India is no stranger to the devastating impact of monsoon rains, which often lead to floods and landslides across the country. With climate change exacerbating weather patterns, extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent and intense.
While it is challenging to attribute individual weather events to climate change, scientists emphasize that global warming, linked to reliance on fossil fuels, is contributing to the multiplication and intensification of heatwaves worldwide. These recent heatwaves follow the news that June 2023 was the hottest June on record globally, as reported by the EU’s climate monitoring service. The severity of the current heatwaves serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the underlying causes of climate change.
In Kashmir, the spring and summer has largely been very pleasant. The latter part of winter, however, saw a sudden spike in temperature. March also witnessed above average temperature for many days. But since then the weather has stabilized. In between, brief rain spells have brought down the temperature. That said, it hardly detracts from the concern about the creeping climate change. And Kashmir Valley has also been adversely affected. According to reports and some surveys, many natural streams in various parts of the Valley have run dry in recent years. And the reason for this is the steady depletion of the glaciers. This has not only reduced the discharge in the rivers and streams but also made many water bodies extinct, affecting the irrigation in the Valley. However, such disturbing changes aren’t specific to Kashmir only. This is becoming a worldwide phenomenon. There is thus an urgent need for the world to come together and take remedial measures to pre-empt the catastrophe.
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