Kolkata could see 32 ‘moist heatwaves’ a yr in 2°C temp rise

A study published in a reputable journal warns that Kolkata could experience around 32 “moist heatwaves” per year if global temperatures rise by 2°C. This would make Kolkata the third worst-affected city in South Asia, after Lahore and Delhi. A moist heatwave is defined as a relative humidity of 66% or higher, along with a minimum temperature of 40°C sustained for at least 48 hours. The study emphasizes the serious threats to human health and survival posed by these heatwaves. Kolkata’s mean annual temperature has already risen by 2.6°C in the last 68 years.