Higher than normal temperature, persistent heatwaves fuel demand for ACs across India

Chandan Kumar shifted from Delhi to Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, with his family. The Namkum area of ​​Ranchi where Kumar lives is green and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But the scorching heat that prevailed for a few days in Ranchi in April this year, forced him to install an air conditioner in his apartment. “Although the weather of Ranchi is usually much more pleasant than Delhi, after the heat wave in April, I got the AC installed,” said Kumar who wasn’t keen on installing it at first.

Another resident of Ranchi, Gopal, speaking to Mongabay-India, says, “Until a few years ago, the temperature in Ranchi was within tolerable limits. But now it is becoming difficult to bear the heat. Many times, one cannot even sleep at night due to the severe heat. Finally, I also had to get an AC installed this year.”

In the last four days of May, the maximum temperature of Ranchi remained above 42 degrees celsius, which was five degrees above normal. During this period, the registered temperature at Daltonganj, the headquarters of Palamu division and Palamu district, was 47 degrees celsius or more. Local newspapers reported that 27 people died across the state due to the...

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