IMPACT OF RISING TEMPERATURE IN URBAN AREAS OF CALICUT
Climate change, once confined to academic discussions, has now become a widely debated global issue due to its severe and far-reaching impacts. From rising sea levels threatening island communities to the disappearance of forests, and from devastating floods in Southeast Asian countries to widespread droughts across the African continent, climate change has wreaked havoc worldwide and is expected to intensify further in the coming years. It is evident that local communities across the globe are increasingly becoming victims of climate change.
Located in the southern part of India, Kozhikode experiences a tropical climate with temperatures ranging between 19°C and 37°C. The district is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the east. Kozhikode receives heavy monsoon rainfall from June to August, followed by a dry season from March to May. In recent years, however, the region’s climate has shown increasingly erratic patterns, which may be correlated with the rising frequency of extreme climatic events observed globally. Kozhikode is now witnessing extreme temperatures during the summer seasons, levels which has never been observed in the past.
Causes of Warming
Increased urban infrastructure: Rapid upscaling of urban infrastructure is a major contributor towards the urban heat island effect, especially during the summers. These concrete forests absorb heat during the day and affect the weather both during the day and at night. Extensive impervious surfaces contribute towards higher land surface temperatures
Change in rainfall patterns: A substantial decrease in rainfall has been observed in Kozhikode in the recent decades. This includes the southwest monsoon, the northeast monsoon, and those during the winter season. A decrease in overall precipitation contributes towards drought-like conditions, further intensifying the heat experienced
Decline in green spaces: Over the years, built-up areas in Kozhikode have witnessed a sharp rise, whereas land area covered by vegetation has plummeted. The decline in vegetation cover is of grave concern as it fails to absorb excess heat trapped in the atmosphere.
The combined effect of these factors and also other minor causes contributes towards increased thermal discomfort across Calicut.
Economic, Social, and Health Impacts
Kozhikode's warming trends strain local economies through reduced agricultural yields and heightened cooling demands. Farmers face crop losses from erratic monsoons and droughts, cutting incomes by 20-30% in vulnerable areas, while small businesses suffer from heat-reduced consumer footfall during peak summers.
Socially, thermal discomfort exacerbates migration from rural zones to urban Kozhikode, overwhelming housing and intensifying water conflicts amid declining rainfall. Marginalized coastal communities, already hit by sea encroachment, endure disrupted fishing livelihoods, fostering inequality.
Health dynamics reveal rising heat-related illnesses like dehydration and heatstroke, with hospital admissions surging 15-25% during extreme summers; the elderly and laborers bear the brunt, compounded by poor air quality from urban heat islands.
Current Mitigation Policies and Challenges
Kerala’s State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) drives Kozhikode efforts via afforestation, rainwater harvesting, and cool roofs under the Haritha Keralam mission. The Kozhikode Corporation enforces green building bylaws and solar subsidies, targeting 50% renewable energy by 2030.
Challenges persist: weak enforcement allows illegal constructions to erode green cover; funding shortages limit scalable cool pavements or urban forests. Community resistance to water rationing and interdepartmental coordination gaps hinder progress, especially in peri-urban zones.
Future Solutions for Preparedness
Adopt nature-based solutions like expanding Wayanad-Kozhikode biodiversity corridors with native mangroves and grasslands to buffer heat islands. Deploy district-wide heat action plans with early warning SMS via Google Forms integration, tailored to your QGIS skills for vulnerability mapping.
Invest in microgrids powered by rooftop solar and battery storage for resilient cooling centers. Policy-wise, enforce zoning laws via GIS-monitored green belts and incentivize permeable pavements.