Heat Risk in India, Key Drivers and Findings of Study

Context: A recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), titled ‘How Extreme Heat is Impacting India’, reveals that 57% of Indian districts are at high or very high risk due to extreme heat exposure.

About Heat Risk

• Heat Risk refers to the likelihood of heat-related illness or death due to extreme heat.
• More comprehensive than just temperature readings.
• Determined by three critical factors:
  • Intensity of heat & compounding effects (e.g., humidity, urban heat islands).
  • Level of exposure to extreme temperatures (e.g., outdoor workers, urban dwellers).
  • Vulnerability of the population (e.g., elderly, children, pre-existing health conditions).

Key Drivers of Heat Risk in India

• Rise in Very Warm Nights
  • 70% of districts had 5+ more warm nights (2012–2022).
  • Warm nights prevent body cooling, raising the risk of heat stroke and worsening diabetes/hypertension.
• Increase in Relative Humidity (North India)
  • Indo-Gangetic Plain humidity rose from 30–40% to 40–50%.
  • High humidity reduces sweat evaporation, increasing heat stress.
• Urbanisation & Population Density
  • Cities like Delhi & Mumbai face a higher risk due to dense population and heat-absorbing concrete.
  • Tier II/III cities are also heating up due to rapid urban growth.
• Socio-Economic & Health Vulnerabilities
  • States like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, UP, and Maharashtra are more vulnerable.
  • Risk worsened by elderly population and chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes).

Key Findings of the Study

• States facing the highest risk include Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
• The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), based in New Delhi, is one of the world’s leading and best-managed independent climate think tanks.
• 2024: Warmest Year on Record
  • 2024 was the hottest year globally and in India.
  • Global temperature was 5°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900).
  • India’s average temperature was 2°C higher than the 1901–1910 average.
• India’s Climate Impact is Already Visible
  • India saw its longest heatwave since 2010.
  • Over 44,000 heatstroke cases were reported in 2024
• Inadequate Heat Action Plans (HAPs)
  • Many HAPs lack long-term strategies.
  • Even where plans exist, implementation is weak, per the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC).
  • This undermines India’s climate resilience.
• Future Risks
  • Without urgent action, heat-related deaths will likely rise.
  • India faces more frequent, intense, and longer heat waves in the coming years.

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