Heatwaves and Health: India's Silent Climate Emergency

What is a heatwave? And why is it intensifying?

Heatwaves can be broadly described as a long period of extremely hot weather. While regional definitions within India vary, the pattern is evident in that heatwaves are now occurring earlier in the year, persisting longer, and breaking record highs in comparison to those experienced decades ago.

The science is unequivocal. The IPCC has conclusively established that climate change as a result of human activities is the cause behind the rising number and intensity of heatwaves experienced throughout the world. However, India is in a special crossroad of this phenomenon, when urbanization, deforestation, and the alteration of land use further worsen the situation.

The health toll: from heatstroke to chronic disease

The response to overheating of the body is progressive, ranging from heat cramps to exhaustion and up to dangerous heatstroke. It has been noted that some researchers conducted in India showed that there was a statistically significant increase in mortality rates during heat waves.

Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that health risks do not stop at acute reactions. The heat negatively influences the heart system; it worsens the patient’s condition if he suffers from respiratory diseases, causes dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. All this can cause serious complications within several weeks if the person suffers from any diseases.

There are also indirect consequences like decreased ability to perceive, stress, disturbed sleep and possible mental disorders. For outdoor workers, it may mean a serious risk financially as well as a loss of crops due to reduced efficiency.

Current Scenario

At present, India is experiencing some of the most severe instances of heat waves in its early summer season, with increased temperatures being recorded in different parts. In fact, heat wave development has happened ahead of the beginning of the summer season of 2026, which should begin in March.

According to recent reports, the temperatures vary between 40°C and 46°C in various areas of northern and central India, however, the temperatures are relatively higher in certain places. For example, Banda in Uttar Pradesh State has recorded temperatures ranging between 47.6°C which makes it among the highest recorded temperatures so far.

Moreover, India was identified as the country with the most heat extremes, with nineteen out of twenty heat extreme cities located in India with temperatures exceeding 44°C. The above facts are justifying the current situations in terms of heatwaves occurring in India.

Finally, the Indian Meteorological Department has warned about an increase in the heatwave days in east, central, and northwest India between April and June 2026.

This is also evident from state-based data, as there was a record high temperature of 45.5 degrees centigrade recorded in several districts of Telangana, while inseveral other places the temperature was more than 44 degrees, resulting in red alerts and health warnings. In addition to record temperatures, the impact on human life is also becoming evident with early reports of heat-related deaths that include workers in the open.

Who bears the heaviest burden?

Heat is an extremely disparate phenomenon. While everyone is at risk physiologically, not everyone has the means to deal with it. Disadvantaged socio-economic groups suffer from double jeopardy; higher risk to their physiology and lower means of coping with that risk, such as no air conditioning and healthcare.

Heatwaves as a public health priority

For many years, heatwaves have been viewed more as a meteorological event than anything else. Nevertheless, this notion is gradually undergoing a transformation.The climate change phenomenon has been identified as one of the most critical factors that can have adverse implications on the well-being of human beings, with heat waves being a primary component of this threat.

Therefore, there has been growing pressure on the health sector to build the capacity that will be required not only in addressing heat-induced illnesses but also in preparing for them in advance.

India's response: Heat Action Plans

India is making strides in the right direction. Some cities  particularly Ahmedabad have formulated and are executing Heat Action Plans (HAPs) which include early warnings, information, and training for healthcare providers. Ahmedabad HAP has gained international recognition for its success; it has been linked with lower incidences of deaths from heatwaves.

But implementation is patchy within various states and districts, funding has not been consistent, and much of this has been reactionary, not proactive. Furthermore, these programs have yet to reach many of the most vulnerable groups. Now that the framework is in place, it must be expanded.

What acomprehensive response looks like-

A comprehensive response to this problem would consist of the following measures:

 · Personal Awareness: Being aware of the symptoms, staying hydrated, not going out when the sun is scorching hot between 11am and 4pm, and observing the at-risk members of the community.

· Community Infrastructure: The municipality would provide cooling stations, access to fresh drinking water and conducting awareness programs.

· Urban Planning: Using porous materials, cool roof installations, creating green spaces and installing shades within the community parks.

· Work place Protection: Providing shade and access to drinking water for work places, especially at construction and farm sites, regulating working hours during extreme hot weather conditions.

· Policy integration: Funding of all high-risk communities should be made for implementing Heat Action Plans; integration of healthcare services with climate data and integration of urban development with heat protection.

Although the cyclones and floods become the focus of the media, the heat waves create huge losses, which keep on increasing due to economic activity, health problems, and the number of people who have died. To address this problem, it is important to acknowledge that heat waves are a health issue among people, but not just an environmental phenomenon.

The heatwave costs are high and ever rising in terms of mortality rates, development of chronic diseases and loss of livelihoods, unlike flooding and cyclones which make headlines. The initial thing in dealing with heatwaves is to recognize them as a public health problem and not merely a meteorological problem.

Reference

[1] India Meteorological Department (IMD). Heatwave Reports and Temperature Trend Data. IMD monitors and defines heatwave thre sholds regionally across India.

[2] Interovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), Working Group I: ThePhysical Science Basis. 2021.

[3] Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Heat-related Morbidity and Mortality Studies in India. Documents measurable increases in mortality during extreme heat events.

[4]https://www.punjabnewstimes.com/national/ups-banda-becomes-hottest-in-the-world-at-476%C2%B0c-as/article-8958

[5]https://www.ptcnews.tv/amp/nation/india-heatwave-2026-hottest-cities-44-degree-temperature-imd-warning-4423806

[6]https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/telangana-faces-extreme-heatwave-and-record-temperatures-1070245

[7]World Health Organization (WHO). Climate Change and Health. WHO fact sheet.

[8] National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).Heat Action Plan Guidelines.

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