ABiological
BWater and Climate Related
CGeological
DAccident-Related
Answer:
B. Water and Climate Related
Read Explanation:
Heat waves are periods of excessively hot weather, often accompanied by high humidity, which are directly driven by atmospheric and climatic conditions.
Climatic Origin: Heat waves result from specific meteorological phenomena, such as persistent high-pressure systems that trap warm air and inhibit cloud formation and precipitation. Global climate change is also intensifying the frequency, duration, and severity of heat waves worldwide.
Water Impact: While not involving an excess of water like floods, heat waves profoundly impact water resources by increasing evaporation rates, leading to droughts, drying out vegetation, and exacerbating water scarcity. This direct interaction with the hydrological cycle makes them water-related.
Health and Environmental Consequences: They lead to heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, increased strain on power grids due to air conditioning demand, agricultural losses, and a heightened risk of wildfires (which are also climate-related).
Therefore, due to their direct link to weather patterns, temperature extremes, and significant influence on water resources and the environment, heat waves fit squarely into the 'Water and Climate Related Disasters' category.