Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Geography
Why in News?
The University of Chicago-led Climate Impact Lab projects approximately 451,000 additional heat-related deaths worldwide due to a strong El Niño.
- The Sahel region of Africa is expected to experience the highest mortality burden.
- Nigeria is projected to have the highest heat-related mortality at the country level, with an estimated 31,400 additional deaths.
- Sahel Region
- The Sahel is a semi-arid region of Africa situated between the Sahara Desert to the north and the tropical savannas to the south.
- It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east.
- The Sahel covers parts of several countries, including Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Nigeria, Sudan, Senegal, and Eritrea.
- Reason for Highly Vulnerable of Sahel
- Extreme heat, poverty, and limited cooling capacity significantly increase mortality risk.
- High poverty levels reduce adaptive capacity.
- Unreliable electricity access limits the use of cooling devices.
- A large portion of the population relies on agriculture, which increases exposure to heat and drought.
- Outdoor workers face prolonged heat exposure.
- Limited healthcare capacity makes it more difficult to manage illnesses related to heatwaves.
- Vulnerable Groups
- Older adults (over 65 years).
- Young children (ages 0 to 4 years).
- Individuals with chronic health conditions.
- Outdoor workers, especially those in agriculture.
- Individuals lacking reliable access to electricity or cooling.
- Immediate Adaptation Measures
- Implement early warning systems for extreme heat.
- Develop and maintain Heat Action Plans.
- Establish cooling centres and hydration stations.
- Conduct targeted health outreach for vulnerable populations.
- Ensure protection for outdoor workers during peak heat hours.
- Increase hospital staffing levels and medical supplies.
- Prepare healthcare systems for surges in heatstroke and sunstroke cases.
- El Niño and Increased Heat
- El Niño refers to the abnormal warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
- It alters global atmospheric circulation and can affect temperature and rainfall patterns in regions well beyond the Pacific.
- A strong El Niño can lead to above-normal temperatures in many areas, although its effects differ by region.
Reference
Down to Earth | Super El Niño & Heat Mortality
