Cold Wave

About Cold Wave:

• Cold waves are unusual weather occurrences caused by extremely low temperatures in the near-surface atmosphere.
• Their duration can range from several days to a few weeks, contingent upon the geography and climatic conditions of the region.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines cold wave conditions based on temperature thresholds.
  • For plains, the minimum temperature has to be less than or equal to 10°C
  • For hilly regions the minimum temperature has to be less than or equal to 0°C.
• Health risks from extreme cold
  • The advisory cautions that prolonged exposure to cold can cause severe health issues, including hypothermia and frostbite.
  • Non-freezing cold injuries, such as Immersion Foot—caused by prolonged exposure to cold, wet conditions—are also a risk.
  • In extreme cases, cold exposure may result in fatalities if adequate precautions are not taken.

Q1: What is Hypothermia?

It happens when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat and the body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). Left untreated, it can be life-threatening. Hypothermia is often caused by exposure to cold weather or immersion in cold water. 

News: Telangana among 17 States and UTs in ‘Core Cold Wave Zone’