For the purpose of clarity, let us call the disorder caused by scorching heat as heat stroke/sun stroke, and the one caused by sultry heat of high relative humidity and not very high temperature as heat stress. In the latter, a Wet bulb and Dry bulb test can show the high heat the body feels in humidity.
NEW DELHI, June 19: A Delhi-Bagdogra Indigo flight was delayed by four hours
on Monday due technical problems caused by heatwave at the Delhi airport. The
aircraft returned to the terminal after being on the tarmac of the airport for
over two hours. The passengers were on board.
With "high ground temperatures," hovering over 45°C, seven notches higher than
normal in the national Capital, flight 6E 2521, scheduled to depart at 2:10
pm, eventually took off at 6:15 pm. The Airbus A320neo was parked on the tarmac
when it experienced the technical snag.
It is reported that one passenger faced health problems due to lack of sufficient
oxygen inside. Passengers complained that the airconditioning was not working.
"IndiGO flight 6E 2521 between Delhi and Bagdogra was delayed due to high ground
temperatures impeding operations. IndiGo prioritises passenger safety above
all else and is taking steps to enable a prompt departure. Passengers are being
provided with regular updates and we regret the inconvenience caused due to
factors beyond the airline's control," said an IndiGo spokesperson.
Delhi and other parts of northern India are facing unprecedented, unbearable
and prolonged scorching heat for over a month continuously. Hundreds of people,
including 25 officials engaged in the recent general elections, have died of
heat stroke during the period. However, deaths used to be in thousands earlier
in much lower temperatures because the people's awareness about sun stroke,
also called heat stroke, and their preparedness was far low.
Since May 12, temperature in the Capital has been consistently above 40 deg
C (104 Fahrenheit), mostly hovering around 45 deg C, and crossing 50 deg C mark
once.
The current heatwave is unprecedented and more fatal not only because of the
reigning mercury, but also because of the spell prolonging without break and
at the same time the night being hotter giving no relief with the result that
the following day will experience an add-on effect definitely causing what is
called heat stress even without exposure to direct sunlight. Earlier, severe
heatwaves used to occur only a few times during May-June lasting two-three days
each time with nights also getting hot.
And this is the longest heatwave spell in more than half a century, the Met
precisely marking the year as 1951.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal temperatures
for June in northwestern and central India, including Delhi.
Meanwhile, boarding and check-in services at the Delhi airport were also affected
due to a power outage caused by voltage fluctuations. It briefly affected all
IGI terminals. The disruption was from 2 pm to 3 pm.
Car goes up in flames
Not only air travel, road traffic has also been affected. In one instance,
a car driver scorched his hands while gripping the wheel to start his vehicle
parked in the sun for long.
In another incident, a running Renault Kiger car went up in flames in Noida
in Delhi-NCR Monday afternoon. An alert driver saved his life as he quickly
pulled over and jumped out as soon as he noticed smoke billowing out of the
AC blower.
Amidst the heatwave, three dozen scrapped cars were gutted in a fire in an
abandoned plot in Noida on June 2 afternoon.
Fire incidents at houses, hospitals etc have been more frequent and devastating
in north-central India in the current summer leading to high casualties.
What causes heat stroke/sun stroke: When the relative humidity is
low or nil, but the air temperature is high, and there is direct exposure to
sunlight or do physical activities, the result is exhaustion and sun stroke
due to dehydration as all water content will be used up for sweating to control
body temperature. Sweating may not be felt as there is instant evaporation because
the weather is dry and hot.
What causes heat stress: When the body becomes hot it sweats or perspires
and when the perspiration evaporates, the body cools down. If the perspiration
does not evaporate because of high atmospheric moisture content (relative humidity),
the body's mechanism to control its temperature fails. Symptoms of heat stress
appear. This type of humidity-related heat disorder mostly occurs during June-July
in northern India while in southern India it is during July-August as the scorching
summer leaves and it becomes cloudy and rains break intermittently. Exposure
in the sun and physical activities are to be limited in both the seasons. In
high humidity and hot weather, staying in the bathroom or covering body with
wet cloth can lead to heat stress unawares, unlike in the case of a sun stroke.
Heat Index: The Heat Index shows how much heat the body faces or "feels"
in shady locations, at a particular level of atmospheric temperature at certain humidity level. In case of prolonged exposure or strenuous activities, heat index values
will go up by 15°F. Hot winds can also be extremely hazardous. The wind adds
heat to the body.
Fahrenheit-Centigrade conversion formula:
C=(F-32)x5/9
F=(Cx9/5)+32
COMMON HEAT DISORDERS:- Heat exhaustion symptoms: Feeling heavy sweating (in heat stress), weakness, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, muscle cramps, headache, disorientation, rapid heart beat, pale skin
First aid tips: Get to a cooler, air conditioned place; Drink water
if fully conscious; Take a cool shower or use cold compression; Cover neck,
chest and feet with wet cloth (only in heat stroke); Lie under the fan.
Who is at risk: Children, Seniors, Athletes, Outdoor Workers, the Sick
Prevention: Avoid exposure to sunlight; Limit outdoor activities; No
excessive physical strain; Drink water; No coffeine; No alcohol; Cool showering;
Light and loose clothing; No waiting in car
HERE's THE PROOF: Attorney General Merrick Garland has accused Russian State broadcaster RT of paying a Tennessee firm $ 10 m to create and distribute content to US audiences with hidden Russian Government messaging. RT chief editor Margarita Simonyan (see pix) is one of 10 people sanctioned by the US for trying to manipulate the elections.
And now Putin declaring an unsolicited support to Harris: A close connection is seen in Trump, in his interview with his chum Musk, making an inappropriate comment calling Harris as most beautiful and comparing her to his wife with a view to blunting her electoral campaign like the fox in the crow story. And Musk later sharing an AI-generated image of Harris as Communist dictator in uniform. The South African has joined the war as his empire is at stake!! All these look like a coordinated Russian traditional job. The Russians managed to give it to Trump in 2016 by damaging Clinton, but failed in 2020!
In a fiery speech, an emboldened "girl fallen from the coconut tree" opened
her box of agenda and promised the Americans she will take the country to
new heights.
Kamala exhorted all Americans to forge a new unity that will "chart a new
way forward," a first in history, laying the foundations of a new America, and that's her vision. She was greeted with a non-stop standing ovation by the delegates as she took
the mike at the jam-packed convention arena.
"I will be a President who unites us around our highest aspirations. A President
who leads and listens. Who is realistic. Practical," she promised.
Joe Biden was so pleasing to the ears as he sought to invoke the power of democracy and list his Government's achievements all due to the grace of God. But what broke the mike was Clinton's hard metallic, sounding so genuine and dedicated as, may be, she had a revenge carryover from 2016, the year when the Russians were alleged to have begun a social media misinformation campaign in favour of Trump and a suspected hacking of the machines using applications quite unfamiliar to the rest of the world. Which was thwarted by the Democrats in the nick of time in 2020 although Trump as President tried to block them by cutting postal funds. He went violent and attempted insurrection not fully because of his animal insticts but also because he was made to believe in a result like the 2016's and that belief was shattered. What marked out Day One at the convention was a 'presumptive' candidate's unscheduled appearance on the stage made possible by the virtual roll call of August 1 - Kamala Harris, the Vice President. The day also facilitated a less known but deserving New York Guv Kathy Hochul, the American cheetah breaking into the national scene for future purpose! Not well done this time!
ALL ISMs APART, WHO IS Muhammad Yunus? Aside from a Nobel prize that does not assess but compare, Yunus's social biz idea of melding capitalism and social responsibility in the late 1980s, known as microfinance, did revolutionise rural Bangladesh - unlike the destructive infrastructure funding mania of the political underdogs - pulling millions out of perennial poverty, setting an example for many other poor countries to emulate.
On the lines of Dr Verghese Kurien of India much much earlier, who was hounded by the communists as a CIA agent out of compulsive ignorance and a lack of basic ability to gauge what he had done which they should have indeed. He mobilised the Indian grassroots, introducing the concept of cooperatives, the implications of which the pseudo socialists and their forefathers couldn't ever dream of.
Certified for use as store, if the space was being illegally used as library, who should primarily be held responsible, irrespective of whether such usage was the cause of the tragedy or not. Could anybody guess right? No. The police have arrested any number of people! What for? Now a CBI inquiry! Into what?
The court also 'discovered' (nobody else knows!) that, "Delhi has multiplicity of authorities who are only passing the buck and blaming each other.”
A PROGNOSIS: Much maligned over old age and gaffes (or allowed to be !), Biden (81) leaving the scene has made Trump (78) the old man in the field! Now on a weak wicket, having forced to change his target mid-stream and rearrange his campaign strategy, the 'rogue' behind the Capitol rampage will be asked by a woman opponent, how old are you? Additionally, the sharpshooting prosecutor will be converting the hustings into a trial court for a decisive onslaught where the convicted felon will finally succumb.
OPINION: Quotas, permanent Government jobs, pay scales and tons of allowances and more than matching pensions are the 'gifts' of wretched vote bank politics in developing societies masquerading as a type of nascent democracy. Depressing poverty and painful migrations are the byproducts. The reality is: There can't be permanent jobs because demand for work is a 'variable'. And quota is its offspring. The agenda of creating jobs and quotas is therefore poor economics, with far-reaching social impacts, but of course serves those politicians in the short term.
ANALYSIS: A pious Catholic and a gentleman (in contrast to the savage-looking felon), Biden is the most experienced politician that he doesn't look. Of Irish descent, he has been around the Capitol Hill and the White House for over five decades, quietly observing people and events. With his rich experience and insight, understanding Biden and what he does now will be possible only retrospectively, may be a year later!! Therefore not many Americans can see that for some time now he has been preparing his 'favourite child' to take on his mantle.
At the end of it all what will stand is what Nikki Haley said on X, "Mark my words... Biden will not be the Democratic nominee. Republicans, get your guard up!"
If and when he withdraws from contest, he must quit White House as well. Why?
OPPOSITION WAKES UP ! The Opposition accused the Prime Minister, who seems to insist he alone will inaugurate everything in the country, of "hurriedly inaugurating" an "incomplete terminal" in March last for publicity on the eve of the general elections. At that time he had also laid the foundation stone for 15 other airport projects across the country. He was also accused of inaugurating an incomplete Ram temple in Ayodhya in January which started leaking in the first downpour last weekend.
It is also puzzling why every few years airport buildings are demolished in Delhi and new plans are made for new constructions and nobody seems to take notice! (Because the airport itself is tucked away in a far corner, not easily accessible to the discerning, with a web of roads going only round and round like a tape around a spool, as if not reaching anywhere!)
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi Government of "corruption and criminal negligence" in the name of infrastructure projects (launched every other day) in the last 10 years. Kharge also said Modi has been keen on indulging in ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale asked, "Why shouldn't PM Modi be charged with culpable homicide?"
COMMENT: A simple question but difficult to understand is why the people should be concerned about whether an NTA director is sacked for paper leakage or a DGP is removed for law and order breakdown. The people have nothing to do with the elite appointments nor their conduct. They are the cousin-brothers of the political dispensation. If not barred by fixation, kindly take a look at other countries!
“What I want to do and what I will do is, you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma (two-year programs or doctoral degrees) a green card to be able to stay in this country” permanently, the presidential candidate said. Asked if he would promise to allow the “best and the brightest around the world to (come to) America,” Trump firmly replied: “I do promise.”
COMMENT: Could Biden visualise a better immigration formula to build a still stronger America? Will Kamala Harris, in charge of migration, and struggling for ideas, take note?
Delhi has recorded the hottest night (35+ deg C), unheard of since the beginning of time! For 30 consecutive days the maximum temp is above 40 deg C and in the nights too the mercury stayed high as there is hardly any earth around to absorb and dissipate the day's heat. Add on to the nightmare the acute water shortage in the national Capital due to the power-hungry, low-grade politicians squabbling for one-upmanship. More than 200 people died in Delhi-NCR in the past two days. Most of them are poor people, labourers, the homeless, beggars.
An anatomy of NEET 2024: From the start till finish NEET will stay put as a conundrum jinxed as it is. What if it was thought angels would come down from the heaven to conduct the entrance exam if done at the Centre and if in the States, they would be conducted by the corrupt mortals. So NEET was born... It's 'guaranteed' that no party will ever be able to do what is required to be done in the country. Because of their genetics. Frauds will only multiply. Is there anything worse? Yes. Shoot the messenger!
A video shows the terrifying scene of the chopper swirling and dropping nose down mid-air around the helipad. In fact, the rear rotor had gone for a toss and the pilot was performing autorotation for a crash-landing. He pulled it off! Congrats!
True or false, Savitri claimed her husband had told her to throw Vinod into the canal as all that he does is eat. "How much torture can my son endure?" She picked him up when he was asleep.
Marking a decisive stage in the ongoing tussle between Governors and the Governments in some States, the Governor of Bengal has thrown down the gauntlet to the State police, asking the Raj Bhavan staff to refuse any enquiry from the cops in the sexual harassment case filed by a woman employee against him.
COMMENT: In many a case complaints can be frivolous, made under certain circumstances. So it is more in the interest of the accused that there is an investigation to clear his name. Denial may only mean acceptance of the guilt. Besides, quoting Constitutional immunity in sexual harassment cases is nothing short of a vulgarity of the feudal landlord. Nobody is above the law.
While the universal apprentice scheme will enable the educated youth to stand up (literally) in a country where the people are trampled by wretched politicians, and look about for avenues to earn a living confidently, the provision of student credit cards of up to Rs 10 lakh will ensure each and every student of this country receives equal opportunities to fulfil their aspirations of higher education irrespective of their financial conditions. It will be a game changer. These are on the lines of what US Vice-President Kamala Harris visualised to be happening to the Third World when she hailed Ajay Banga as a transformative World Bank President.
Peter Higgs is the father of the mysterious Higgs boson, otherwise called 'God Particle', which gives mass to all elementary particles, and created our universe. His contribution helped other scientists understand how the Big Bang created something out of nothing 13.8 billion years ago. The equations of particle physicists which did not have a leg to stand on till then, the 'God Particle' came as a Godsend. The theories so far to describe the universe did not hold water.
It was only by 2012, after 50 years of the boson discovery, that scientists at CERN could make the big announcement that they had finally found a Higgs boson using the Large Hadron Collider.
Higgs instantly broke into tears, tears of profound satisfaction, in the lecture hall where the announcement was made.
LEGAL REMEDIES: Last year, on the directive of the Supreme Court, the Governor granted assent to one Bill, and referred seven Bills to the President. The petition against the President also challenges the Governor's action of referring the Bills to her.
The unprecedented step by the State may also establish that it always upholds the Constitution and the rule of law in order to pre-empt any eventuality of getting dismissed on flimsy grounds invoking provisions of the Constitution later on; and, also provide a thrust to an emerging platform of regional forces pitted against the ongoing centralisation of every subject and activity in the country under one umbrella where the States will ultimately 'wither' away (for some time).
OPINION: Made to happen as it does just weeks ahead of the general elections, the arrest may signal, if not the cause of, far-reaching consequences in the course of Indian politics. The Opposition charges that the ruling party at the Centre has unleashed the police to catch a leader every other day for corruption allegedly indulged in in the present or the remote past in order to incapacitate any concerted opposition to the ruling dispensation.
