When night falls, and temperature doesn't, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• Delhi experienced its hottest May in 14 years, with minimum temperatures 5°C above normal.
• Warm nights in parts of India have increased by 2-8 days/decade and are projected to increase further.
• High night temperatures impact sleep quality, body recovery, and increase mortality risk.
• Indoor overheating, especially in bedrooms, is a key factor affecting restorative sleep.

Detailed Insights:

• The traditional pattern of hot days and cool nights is changing, with an increase in nighttime-only and day-night compound heatwaves.
• Rising night temperatures are linked to increased hospital admissions and mortality risks from conditions like stroke and cardiovascular issues.
• Lack of sleep due to high night temperatures can negatively affect cognitive ability, the immune system, and overall quality of life.
• Indoor temperatures in Chennai have been observed to remain in the 32°-35.5° C range, exacerbating heat stress, especially with high humidity.
• Factors contributing to high indoor temperatures include inadequate external shading, poor cross-ventilation, and heat radiated from indoor electrical gadgets.
• Measures to improve indoor shading include installing movable shades, blinds, and placing leafy green indoor plants by windows.
• Cooling one or two rooms, minimizing time in rooms with direct sunlight, and taking a shower before bed can help mitigate the effects of high night temperatures.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Heatwave: A period of abnormally high temperatures, typically lasting more than two days.
• Thermoregulation: The process by which the body maintains its core internal temperature.
• Mortality Risk: The probability of death within a specific time period or due to a specific cause.