UPSC Prelims PYQ on Wet-Bulb Temperature & India – World Bank Warning
Q. The World Bank warned that India could become one of the first places where wet-bulb temperatures routinely exceed 35 °C.
Which of the following statements best reflect(s) the implication of the above-said report?
I. Peninsular India will most likely suffer from flooding, tropical cyclones and droughts.
II. The survival of animals including humans will be affected as shedding of their body heat through perspiration becomes difficult.
✅ Correct Answer: (c) Both I and II
Explanation:
Wet-bulb temperature combines air temperature and humidity, representing the lowest temperature achievable by evaporative cooling. At 35 °C wet-bulb, sweating can no longer effectively cool the body, creating life-threatening heat stress.
Statement I – Correct: Climate change will heighten Peninsular India’s vulnerability to extreme rainfall (floods), cyclones, and droughts due to intensified monsoon variability.
Statement II – Correct: Extreme wet-bulb temperatures hinder sweat evaporation, endangering both humans and animals, especially vulnerable groups like the elderly, outdoor workers, and species dependent on heat dissipation.
Thus, both statements reflect the report’s implications.
