TN's block-level heat stress mapping rings alarm bells

Decadal study finds 25 blocks in 10 districts falling under 'extremely heat-stressed' category

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Chennai

TAMIL Nadu released the state's first-ever block-level spatial analysis of heat exposure on Monday. The decadal study, conducted by the Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board and State Planning Commission, confirms that rising urbanization and loss of natural land cover are driving a dangerous surge in local temperatures across the state.

Out of 389 development blocks, the study found that 94 have experienced significant decadal increases in heat stress, while 64 blocks are currently enduring higher-than-state-average temperatures, even if they haven't seen long-term trends.

Critically, 25 blocks, which fall under 10 districts -- Chennai, Chengalpattu, Karur, Madurai, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, Tiruchy, Tirunelveli, and Tiruvallur -- fall under the 'extremely heat-stressed' category in both assessments. The study found that many of the blocks that fall under both critical categories are associated with intensive urban development or proximity to industrial belts.