Mangalore: This summer, people in Europe have been suffering from extreme heat. Europeans are reeling from the heat. People everywhere are turning to ACs. They are crying that they have never experienced such heat in their lives.
The temperature has gone up to 43 degrees in many places. It is trending online that Europeans are complaining about the heat, unable to bear it. However, this may have come as a surprise to many in India. In India, the temperature goes up to 48 degrees. It is very common for the temperature to cross 40 degrees in most places in summer.
In Bangalore, it sometimes crosses 40 degrees. However, even though the temperature in India and Europe is the same, there is a difference in the actual temperature. For example, experts say that the experience of 48°C in India is different from that of 48°C in Europe. There are interesting reasons for this:
1. Houses built for winter in Europe
Most European countries experience extreme cold most of the year. Therefore, houses there are built with thick walls, small windows and tight insulation to prevent heat from escaping. The same technology that helps in winter becomes fatal in summer. The hot air that comes in from inside heats up like an ‘oven’ without a way to escape. In India, houses are built with good ventilation and cross-ventilation.
2. Lack of AC and fans in Europe
Most homes, offices and metros in India have fans or air conditioners (AC). But due to the historically cold climate in Europe, 100% of the houses are not equipped with AC. More than 90% of homes do not have AC, let alone ceiling fans. In some apartments, windows are only allowed to be opened by 10 degrees for safety reasons. This makes it impossible to air-condition the house.
3. Long daylight hours
Due to the geographical position of the earth, summer days in Europe are very long. There is sunlight from 5 am to 10 pm (about 16-17 hours). Due to this, the land, roads and buildings absorb the heat throughout the day. Since the night time is short, the atmosphere does not get time to cool down. In India, the temperature drops significantly as night falls, providing some relief.
4. Very high humidity
When the temperature rises, the human body cools itself through sweating. In many parts of Europe and coastal areas, the climate is extremely humid. When the humidity in the air is high, sweat does not dry quickly. When sweat does not evaporate, the body temperature does not decrease, creating a suffocating environment inside.
For example, a temperature of 35°C in Bangalore feels hotter than a temperature of 35°C in Delhi. This is due to the high humidity in Bangalore.
5. Indians who are acclimatized to the sun
Indians have been acclimatized to the harsh sun for generations. We are accustomed to wearing cotton clothes suitable for the sun, drinking plenty of water, and buttermilk. But the body of a European is not capable of withstanding such a sudden intense heat. Due to this, a temperature of 43°C feels as terrible as 55°C in India.