Hyderabad: Heatwaves, intense rainfall, and flooding are the rising climate change challenges that are plaguing Telangana and the Deccan plateau, said environmentalist Souyma Dutta. He cited a pan-Indian India Meteorological Department (IMD) study that was conducted recently. He was speaking at an event organised by the National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ) at Lamakaan on Saturday.“You look at any urban city, including Hyderabad, there are large concrete buildings everywhere which retain heat on the ground and increase the overall temperature, which in turn contributes to more rainfall,” he said. The speaker also pointed out that climate change is not merely an environmental problem but a social problem too, referring to the fact that it’s the poor who get most affected during any natural disaster.“During the recent Musi floods, it was again the residents of low-lying areas largely from economically weaker sections who bore the brunt. Similarly, during heatwaves, it is the daily wage labourers who are the ones most exposed to extreme conditions,” he added.“Presently, the state govt only provides relief and compensation after a disaster happens, but focus should be on containing disasters. Moreover, renovating drainage system and increasing capacity will help prevent waterlogging, which is a major issue in Hyderabad,” the speaker said.
