The UK is bracing for a 48-hour heatwave with temperatures expected to reach a scorching – for them – 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit). Many homes and buildings in Britain also lack air conditioning, making even moderate heat waves uncomfortable.
A recent report from the British tabloid The Mirror declared a 48-hour heatwave in the UK, with temperatures soaring to 26 degrees Celsius. This news left many Indians and Pakistanis, currently enduring heatwaves above 40 degrees Celsius, amused and puzzled. How did the British manage to rule India for 200 years under such extreme heat, many wondered.
Here are some possible answers.
British Solutions to Indian Summers
During their colonial rule, the British employed various strategies to cope with India’s intense summer heat. One notable solution was importing ice. Frederic Tudor, an entrepreneur from Boston, made a fortune by shipping ice to India. In 1833, he successfully transported 180 tons of ice to Calcutta (now Kolkata). This ice was a luxury that helped British officials survive the scorching Indian summers.
Hill Stations: The Cool Escape
Besides importing ice, the British established hill stations as summer retreats. Nainital, Dalhousie, and Shimla became popular destinations. Shimla, in particular, was developed into the British summer capital, complete with essential infrastructure and administrative buildings. These hill stations provided a cool haven from the oppressive heat of the Indian plains.
Social Media Reacts To 26 Degrees Heatwave
Indians on social media found the UK’s heatwave declaration both amusing and intriguing. One user commented, “26°C is a heatwave in the UK? In India, that’s perfect weather for a picnic!” Another joked, “We need 40°C to call it a heatwave in India, and we still carry on as usual.”
Conclusion
Many homes and buildings in Britain also lack air conditioning, which can make even moderate heat waves uncomfortable. Additionally, factors like humidity can significantly impact how hot a place feels. While the UK may not get as hot as India, it may also be more humid, making 26 degrees Celsius there feel worse.
While the UK’s 26-degree heatwave might seem mild to Indians, it highlights the different thresholds of heat tolerance between the two countries. The British, with their ice imports and hill stations, found ways to endure the Indian summers during their colonial rule. Today, the contrast in reactions to a 26-degree heatwave serves as a reminder of these historical adaptations.
