Visakhapatnam: The combination of climbing night temperatures and relentless relative humidity is trapping parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) in a worsening cycle of nighttime heat stress. The overall rise in the minimum temperature is disrupting people's sleep and affecting their daily routines.
Scorching Summer Heat Worsens
The scorching summer heat has made life extremely difficult for people in CAP, with the region reeling under intense heatwave conditions. Apart from the heatwave conditions in the afternoon, the warmer nights also pose a health risk to people in CAP. Experts say indoor thermal exposure could be a bigger threat to people than exposure to heat outdoors during the daytime.
Recorded Minimum Temperatures
According to the meteorological department, the minimum temperature at many coastal places in the state has been recorded between 29 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius for the past few days. Medical experts note that increasing heat at night is leading to problems like sleeplessness, allergies, fatigue, and irregular eating habits.
Urban Heat Island Effect
Many parts of CAP have recorded at least 2-4 degrees Celsius above normal temperatures during night hours, coupled with high relative humidity, making life miserable. The rise in nighttime temperatures mostly occurs in urban areas due to the urban heat island effect. Increasing high-rise residential complexes, roads, bricks, and metal absorb heat during the day and radiate it at night. The decline of green cover, water bodies, increasing vehicular pollution, and hot air from machinery are major contributors to this effect, said weathermen.
Impact on Residents
V Ganesh, a resident of Vizag, said: “The recent night temperature indicates climate change because Vizag is relatively cooler during night hours. But these nights have been making life more difficult and are affecting our sleep-wake routines. Many of my friends also complain of poor sleep and discomfort due to night heat, and the situation is worsening for those living in low and middle-income housing units.”
The ongoing trend highlights the need for adaptive measures to mitigate the health impacts of rising nighttime temperatures in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
