Heat waves and cold waves in the country have increased manifold in the past two years, according to data put out by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation.
While the number of reported casualties declined in the case of heat waves, they have increased in the case of cold waves. Rajasthan experienced the highest number of heat and cold waves from 1970 to 2018.
Extremes of temperature
While the number of heat waves increased 14 times in 2017 compared to 2016, the number of cold waves spiked 34 times in the same period. The numbers for 2018 dropped marginally.
Punishing heat and cold
The number of heat-related deaths has come down despite an increase in heat waves since 2015. However, the number of deaths due to cold waves has risen in this period. Over 3,000 people died due to heat waves in 2015 and 2016.
Mapping hotspots and cold pockets
Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (considered a single entity) have been hit by the most number of heat waves.
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have had the highest number of cold waves from 1970 to 2018. South India has not been hit much by cold waves.
The below maps depict the prevalence of both waves across years and across States.