Since mid-May, northern India has been facing temperatures in excess of 45 degrees Celsius, creating an increased demand for electricity for air conditioning and cooling. The Indian Ministry of Power reported that this region is experiencing its highest demand ever, reaching 89 gigawatts. This situation prompted the government to import between 25 and 30% more electricity from neighboring regions to meet demand. Although this import has prevented widespread blackouts, localized outages persist due to heat-stressed infrastructures.
The Impact of Climate Change
Heatwaves in India, although frequent, have become exceptionally intense this year. Scientists attribute this phenomenon to climate change, which is causing longer and more severe heat episodes. India, the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070, but still relies heavily on coal for power generation. To meet the immediate challenges, the Ministry of Energy has ordered power companies to maintain a high level of vigilance and minimize forced outages. Despite these measures, residents of New Delhi, a metropolis of over 30 million people, are suffering from power outages and water shortages.
Infrastructure under pressure
The Indian capital depends on the neighboring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for its water supply. With growing demand for electricity and water, resources are becoming increasingly scarce, exacerbating tensions between regions. Politicians are criticized for their lack of foresight and insufficient investment in essential infrastructure. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that severe heatwave conditions will persist until Thursday, after which a gradual drop in temperatures is expected. Meanwhile, water tankers have been deployed to alleviate water shortages in the worst-affected areas of New Delhi. This crisis highlights the need for long-term planning to strengthen infrastructures in the face of growing climatic challenges. Better resource management and investment in renewable energies will be essential to prevent such situations in the future.
The situation in India underlines the urgency of adopting sustainable measures to manage demand for energy and natural resources, particularly in a context of accelerating climate change. Authorities need to act quickly to adapt infrastructures and protect vulnerable populations from climate extremes.
