2.0°C is lowest Telangana recorded in a decade; 4.5°C is minimum recorded this year

The news of Telangana recording its lowest temperature in a decade at 2.0°C, with the year's minimum at 4.5°C, highlights a significant cold spell. Such extreme weather events are not isolated incidents but are indicative of broader climatic shifts and have profound implications for India, especially for a peninsular state like Telangana, which is not typically associated with such severe cold. Understanding these phenomena is crucial for competitive exam aspirants, as it touches upon geography, environment, disaster management, and public policy.

**Background Context: Understanding Cold Waves in India**

Cold waves in India are primarily driven by a combination of meteorological factors. The most significant factor for northern and central India is the movement of 'Western Disturbances' – extra-tropical storms originating in the Mediterranean region that bring sudden winter rain and snow to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent. While their direct impact is more pronounced in the Himalayas and Indo-Gangetic plains, they can indirectly lead to cold wave conditions further south. Following the passage of a Western Disturbance, cold, dry winds from the snow-clad Himalayas sweep across the plains due to the development of a strong anticyclonic circulation over the region. This leads to clear skies, low humidity, and a significant drop in night temperatures. For peninsular states like Telangana, cold wave conditions can also arise due to the advection of cold air from northern India, coupled with clear sky conditions and calm winds, allowing for rapid radiative cooling during the night. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a cold wave based on the departure of minimum temperature from normal, or when the minimum temperature drops below a certain threshold.

**The Telangana Cold Spell and its Significance**

Telangana's record low of 2.0°C represents a substantial deviation from its typical winter temperatures. While the state experiences mild winters, temperatures rarely dip to such extremes. This event underscores the increasing variability and intensity of weather patterns across India. The 2.0°C reading, being the lowest in a decade, points to a rare and severe cold event, while the 4.5°C minimum for the current year signals a generally colder winter than usual. These figures are not just statistics; they translate into tangible impacts on human life, agriculture, and infrastructure.

**Key Stakeholders and Their Roles**

Several stakeholders are directly or indirectly involved in managing and responding to such extreme weather events. The **India Meteorological Department (IMD)**, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the primary agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing early warnings. **State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs)**, guided by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), play a critical role in preparedness, response, and relief operations. For Telangana, its SDMA would be instrumental in coordinating efforts. **Farmers** are perhaps the most vulnerable, as extreme cold can damage standing crops (especially rabi crops like maize, pulses, and horticulture) and livestock, leading to economic losses. The **public health sector** faces increased pressure due to cold-related illnesses such as hypothermia, frostbite, and respiratory infections, particularly among vulnerable populations like the elderly and homeless. The **state government** is responsible for policy formulation, implementing relief measures, and ensuring public safety and welfare during such events. Environmental agencies and researchers also play a role in studying these patterns and informing long-term climate strategies.

**Why This Matters for India: Broader Implications**

Such extreme cold events have multi-faceted implications for India. Economically, agricultural losses can be substantial, impacting food security and farmer incomes. The energy sector experiences increased demand for heating, potentially straining power grids. Socially, the most marginalized sections of society, including daily wage laborers and the homeless, suffer disproportionately. These events also highlight India's vulnerability to climate change. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather phenomena – be it cold waves, heatwaves, floods, or droughts – are consistent with global climate change projections. This necessitates robust climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, aligning with India's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

**Constitutional and Policy Framework**

India has a well-defined framework for disaster management and environmental protection. The **Disaster Management Act, 2005**, provides the legal and institutional framework for effective disaster management in India, including the creation of the NDMA and SDMAs. While specific constitutional articles don't directly address cold waves, several provisions relate to the state's responsibility in managing their impacts. **Entry 14 of the State List (Seventh Schedule)** deals with 'Agriculture', making states primarily responsible for agricultural relief. **Entry 6 of the State List** covers 'Public health and sanitation', crucial for managing health impacts. **Entries 20 and 23 of the Concurrent List** (Economic and social planning, Social security and social insurance) also provide scope for coordinated action. Furthermore, India's broader climate policy, the **National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)** launched in 2008, and its eight missions (e.g., National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change) aim to address climate change challenges, including adapting to extreme weather. States also formulate their **State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs)**, tailored to their specific vulnerabilities.

**Future Implications**

The Telangana cold spell serves as a stark reminder that extreme weather events are likely to become more common and severe. This necessitates proactive measures: strengthening early warning systems, developing climate-resilient agricultural practices, improving public health infrastructure to cope with weather-related emergencies, and implementing effective disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. Urban planning needs to consider such extremes, and long-term adaptation strategies, including water management, energy efficiency, and ecosystem restoration, are critical. For India, a nation highly dependent on agriculture and with a large vulnerable population, understanding and preparing for such climatic shifts is not merely an environmental concern but a core issue of national security and sustainable development.