Dayaram, a farmer in his late fifties, stood amidst his parched rice fields in Karnal on a 44-deg C summer day in May, the sun’s relentless glare casting deep shadows across his unshaven face, as he explained how recent heat waves had ravaged his livelihood.

"High temperatures have led to severe water shortages," he said, his voice tinged with desperation. "Our water supply has dwindled by nearly 40%, disrupting the growth cycle of our rice crops and reducing our production by 25% (over seven years).”

Dayaram, who uses one name, said his income had plummeted 30% over the same period, threatening his family’s survival. "We are facing a challenging period," he said, "struggling to adjust our farming practices to safeguard what little harvest we can manage."

Dayaram’s story is an illustration of a broader crisis affecting millions of farmers across India’s northern plains. The once-thriving fields lay desolate, a testament to the unforgiving forces of climate change.

North Indian states have had to contend with depleted groundwater reserves, once perennial rivers alternatively dying up and flooding, and predictions that the problem will only get worse.

Karnal, often referred to as the rice bowl of India, is the constituency of Nayab Singh Saini, the chief minister of Haryana. Up to 80% of its industries are directly or indirectly linked to agriculture, with numerous rice mills, pesticide industries, and agricultural implements manufacturing plants.

Haryana has experienced a notable increase in temperatures during 2024. For instance, on 23 June 2024, the day temperature in Haryana was 2.2°C above normal, with the highest maximum temperature recorded in Bhiwani district at 43.8°C. Sirsa's maximum temperature in May reached 50°C.

The Indian meteorological department defines a heat wave as a period when the maximum temperature surpasses 40°C in the plains, 37°C in coastal areas, and 30°C in hilly regions.





Sources - https://article-14.com/post/a-window-to-india-s-future-intensifying-heat-waves-are-reshaping-lives-farms-industries-in-haryana-66a6b79e71e47