Heat Waves Power Struggles in Mumbai

I refrained from writing about the sweltering heat in Mumbai as it has become a routine in the fight against climate events. However, given an extended period and with no end in sight for the next few days, it’s become impossible to ignore. While this heatwave might make for good “summer vibes” content, it also highlights a crucial issue: the strain on our electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs). This extreme weather has thrown a spotlight on the challenges the DISCOMs face.

As expected, power consumption is skyrocketing with everyone cranking up their ACs and fans to beat the heat. The real battle is being fought on the distribution front, even though generation companies are working very hard to meet this surge in demand.

The struggle is particularly noticeable in my area (suburban district), which is not part of the island city that MSEDCL serves. The distribution network appears to be reaching its limits due to the increasing demand. Variations in voltage, line tripping, and prolonged power outages have become the new norms with increasing heat.

The suggestion to turn off air conditioners and fans during a heatwave exceeding 40 degrees seems excessive and unjustifiable. The truth is that voltage fluctuations and overloaded lines cause frequent tripping. We are stuck in a situation where we need power to stay cool, but using it risks the stability of the entire grid.

This situation raises questions about the capacity of our distribution infrastructure. Can it cope with the ever-increasing demands of a constantly expanding city, especially in the face of extreme weather events? Perhaps, it’s time to start a conversation about grid modernization to ensure a more reliable power supply for all Mumbaikars, heatwave or not.

What is the solution?

Given the rise in climate-related incidents, our electrical infrastructure needs to be more resilient and robust.

Although India’s modern, unified power grid is a step in the right direction, DISCOMs continue to face obstacles similar to the ones listed above. Power outages remain a concern even in states with adequate infrastructure and excess electricity.

Heatwave alerts in Mumbai and Maharashtra were issued after the initial impact, although the IMD issued warnings earlier in April. Playing the blame game won’t help anyone.

Additionally, real estate developers are compromising infrastructure by using substandard materials and reduced capacity wires for profit.

Real solutions involve:
* Modernizing the grid for electricity

* Making sure you’re ready for severe weather

* Examining building materials closely

There is little doubt that DISCOMs, developers, and customers must collaborate to overcome these obstacles. The role of city planners is equally significant. At a time when the globe is talking about smart cities, we are grappling with something as basic as planned infrastructure to mitigate power outages!

If you closely follow the trajectory of climate change, the news of a potential 10-20 days of heatwaves this summer comes as a grim confirmation, not a surprise.

The world ambitiously aimed/ pledged to limit global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius to the pre-industrial levels. However, we are nowhere near achieving that target. Each year, the consequences are unfolding with ever-increasing ferocity.

Some facts:

· 2023 was officially the hottest year on record.

· The recent Taiwan earthquake measured a terrifying 7+ on the Richter scale.

· India’s rising temperatures this year suggest it could surpass even 2023’s extremes.

Officially, it is accepted that the recorded temperature rise is more than 2 degrees, and in some geographical areas, it has crossed 3-4 degrees Celsius. Here in India, the temperature rise observed so far this year suggests a strong possibility of exceeding even the scorching extremes of 2023.

The IMD alert on heatwaves:

The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) latest warning for potentially 20-days of heatwaves stretching from April to June is particularly alarming. Such an event would throw normal life out of gear. Imagine sweltering temperatures relentlessly gripping the nation for weeks. Daily commutes would transform into journeys through a furnace. However, the most affected, as always, would be the common man – the farmers, construction workers, street vendors, and countless others who toil outdoors to earn their daily bread. These are the people who live in constant communion with nature, are exposed to its elements, and eventually bear the brunt of climate change-related fury.

This is not a wake-up call anymore. We are past the stage of gentle nudges and warnings. The inconvenient truth is – we have crossed the tipping point. This is an emergency siren blaring at the highest pitch. We are hurtling towards a future defined by extreme weather events, and the heatwave this summer is a mere glimpse of what’s to come.

While COP28, held in Dubai last year, saw the establishment of the loss and damage fund, the effectiveness of these financial instruments in truly rebuilding lives shattered by climate disasters remains to be seen. The question lingers – how much of this allocated capital will reach the hands of those who desperately need it?

Individual action:

The time for action is now. We cannot afford to be passive bystanders in this unfolding catastrophe. Policymakers need to prioritize drastic emission reduction measures and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure. Citizens too can make an impact individually. We must make conscious choices to reduce their carbon footprint, embrace sustainable practices, and hold those in power accountable.

The future we choose depends on the actions we take today. Let us not sleepwalk into oblivion. Let this looming summer of fury serve as a stark reminder of the climate emergency we face. We must rise to the challenge, for the sake of ourselves and for the generations to come.

The triple threats of climate change—intensity, insecurity, and inequality—are wreaking havoc on people’s lives Do you all feel this way?

We all agree that climate change is no longer a whisper in the wind. But an ugly and gory reality. The year 2023 provided a stark reminder.

The following factors prompted me to think about the triple threats along these lines:

Intensity:

A) India saw extreme climate events almost every day in 2023 — floods, cloudbursts, landslides, earth splits in hilly terrains, wildfires, unseasonal snowfall, heatwaves, unseasonal rainfall etc

B) Around 3000 climate deaths were reported in India in 2023. The numbers could be higher.

C) The intensity of climate change led to climate migration in many parts of the country.

Insecurity:

A) Loss of lives and livelihood

B) Nonawareness of climate events

C) Unpreparedness to tackle climate events

Inequality:

A) Loss of earnings

B) Food shortage

C) Resource crunch

These weren’t mere anomalies but stark reminders that climate change leads us toward a future shrouded in intensity, insecurity, and inequality.

So, I come back to the perennial question: How do we empower these communities to overcome the impact of these climate events?

Here are my suggestions:

Local preparedness: Equip local bodies with the knowledge, resources, and infrastructure to anticipate and mitigate climate events. Empower communities to participate in disaster risk reduction plans.

Sustainable rebuild: Move beyond mere rebuilding to resilient reconstruction. Invest in eco-friendly infrastructure and sustainable practices that can withstand future climate shocks.

Circular economy: Encourage a closed-loop system where waste is minimized and resources are reused and recycled. This can create local jobs, reduce environmental impact, and build community resilience.

These are just a few steps on a long but critical journey. Addressing climate change demands a collective effort – from individuals to governments, businesses to communities. By working together, we can build a future where intensity, insecurity, and inequality are not inevitable consequences, but challenges we can overcome, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and hope for future generations.

The earth is warming at a rapid pace. The year 2023 served as a blistering preview of what’s to come. Data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) confirms that last year was the second-hottest in over a century (since 1901).

And the heat is not limited to the daytime. A recent study reveals a worrying trend: rising nighttime temperatures in Indian cities. The culprit? Surface urban heat islands (SUHIs). Delhi leads the pack with a 2-degree nocturnal increase, followed by Ahmedabad and Surat at 1.9 degrees, respectively. It’s not just about rising temperatures but the impact of the volcanic heat on the lives of people and the environment.

Remember, 2023 wasn’t just toasty for India; it was the hottest year for the entire planet. Extreme weather events fueled a feverish Earth.

India alone saw nearly 3,000 reported climate deaths. And these are just the official numbers; unreported cases may paint a far starker picture. More than half of these deaths were caused by floods, landslides, and lightning, a reminder that nature’s wrath comes in many forms.

The fact draws home a heated argument: Limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius seems improbable. But the world is reaching a reluctant consensus for below 2 degrees Celsius.

The massive earthquake in Japan, which triggered several more on New Year, is a wake-up call.

One may argue that Japan is earthquake-prone. But the intensity and frequency of these tremors raise alarm bells.

This grim reality leads us to a crucial crossroads: how do we build climate-ready communities? Is there a magic bullet?

Certainly NOT. But there is hope. By working together, we can invest in infrastructure that can withstand rising temperatures and extreme weather. We can educate and empower communities to cope with climate change risks. We can nurture green spaces that cool our cities and revitalize our planet.

So, while 2023 may have brought us planetary fever, let’s not succumb to the heat. Let’s rise to the challenge in 2024, and make it resilient, cooler and safer for all.

Tag: Climate events

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