The World Bank warned that India could become one of the first places where wet-bulb temperatures routinely exceed 35 °C. Which of the following statements best reflect(s) the implication of the above-said report?
I. Peninsular India will most likely suffer from flooding, tropical cyclones and droughts.
II. The survival of animals including humans will be affected as shedding of their body heat through perspiration becomes difficult.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
The concept of wet-bulb temperature captures the combined effect of heat and humidity, and a level of 35°C represents a critical threshold beyond which the human body cannot effectively cool itself through sweating.
Statement I is correct. Rising wet-bulb temperatures are a manifestation of broader climate change impacts, especially in tropical regions like Peninsular India. The same warming trends and altered atmospheric dynamics contribute to extreme weather events such as intense rainfall (floods), stronger tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts. Thus, while indirect, this statement reflects the wider implications of the climatic conditions associated with high wet-bulb temperatures.
Statement II is correct. This directly captures the core implication. At 35°C wet-bulb temperature, the evaporation of sweat becomes ineffective, preventing the body from losing heat. This leads to life-threatening heat stress, even in shaded or ventilated conditions, affecting both humans and animals.
Thus, both statements are correct, with Statement II explaining the physiological danger and Statement I reflecting the broader climatic context.