• The study conducted by NIT Trichy has identified that there is a significantly higher concentration of pollutants in the urban areas compared to the rural areas.
  • Aerosols, Carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) has directly impacted the UHI phenomenon.

About Urban Heat Island (UHI)

• It occurs when a city experiences much warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas. 
• The urban heat-island effect can raise temperatures by 5°C to 10°C, exacerbating heat waves.

• Causes:
  • Reduced Natural Landscapes in Urban Areas: Hard, dry surfaces in urban areas, such as roofs, sidewalks, roads, buildings, and parking lots, etc.
  • Urban Geometry: surfaces and structures obstructed by neighboring buildings become large thermal masses that cannot release their heat readily.

• Heat Generated from Human Activities: Vehicles, air-conditioning units, and industrial facilities, etc

Impact of UHI

• Higher energy consumption: e.g., increased demand for air conditioning to cool buildings.
• Health: respiratory problems, sunstroke, dehydration, tiredness, etc.

Way Forward

• Use of high albedo (fraction of light that is reflected by a body or surface) and cool surface materials can reduce the impact of UHI.
• Further,Urban greenery, green roofs/surfaces, etc can also reduce its impact.