India’s meteorological department, IMD, is launching a new composite index next year to measure the impact of heat on the population. The index will generate alerts for specific locations and help quantify the effect of heat waves. The IMD recently issued an experimental heat index that considers temperature and humidity to determine how hot it really feels. The multi-parameter product, called ‘heat hazard score,’ will integrate other factors like wind and exposure duration to be a more effective indicator of heat stress. It is expected to be ready in two months and operational by next summer. The IMD will gradually incorporate health data into the product as it becomes available. Last year, the IMD team conducted a heat wave hazard analysis for the whole country, assessing maximum and minimum temperatures, humidity, wind, and duration of heat waves.
