India is experiencing extreme heat and the cause of this is the combination of meteorological factors, such as atmospheric pressure, wind patterns, precipitation and climate change. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), heat waves in South Asia are made at least 30 times more likely by climate change. Average temperatures in India have risen by around 0.7% between 1901 and 2018, partly due to climate change.
The implications of the extreme heat in India are severe and multifaceted to the extent that there have been Increased mortality and morbidity due to heatstroke, dehydration and other heat-related illnesses. A study by the Lancet found that India saw a 55% rise in deaths due to extreme heat between 2000-2004 and 2017-2021. There have also been reduced productivity and income for millions of people, especially the poor and daily-wage laborers employed in outdoor work. Exposure to heat also caused a loss of 167.2 billion potential labour hours among Indians in 2021, resulting in loss of incomes equivalent to about 5.4% of the country’s GDP.
Accelerated melting of snow and ice in the mountainous regions, leading to flash floods, glacial lake floods and reduced water availability in the long term. Not just this there have been crops damaged and reduced agricultural yields, affecting food security and livelihoods of farmers.
India is currently experiencing deteriorated air quality and increased risk of fire outbreaks, affecting human health and ecosystems. To cope with the extreme heat, India has implemented heat action plans in some cities, which involve issuing alerts, providing cooling shelters, distributing water and educating the public about heat prevention measures. However, these plans are not enough to address the root causes and long-term impacts of the heat problem. India needs to invest more in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, such as improving urban planning, enhancing renewable energy sources, promoting water conservation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
