India's Vulnerability to Heatwaves: Challenges and Solutions

India is one of the countries most vulnerable to heat, experiencing a significant increase in hot days and nights. Projections suggest that heatwaves will arrive earlier, last longer, and occur more frequently, with temperatures expected to rise two to four times by 2050. Sadly, this vulnerability has already led to tragic consequences, such as the recent death of 12 people from heatstroke after attending an open-air event in Navi Mumbai. As a result, the weather office has predicted above-average temperatures and heatwaves until the end of May.

According to a recent study, India's heat action plans have several shortcomings, including being poorly designed for local contexts, oversimplifying hazards, and failing to identify



or target vulnerable groups effectively. The majority of India's workers, including those in construction and mining, work in heat-exposed jobs, and as the planet warms, they are losing the ability to work safely and efficiently outside.

India's average temperatures have risen by approximately 0.7% between 1901 and 2018, partly due to climate change. Heatwaves have killed over 22,000 people between 1992 and 2015, with experts believing that the actual toll is significantly higher due to inadequate recording. Another study found that India saw a 55% increase in deaths due to extreme heat between 2000-2004 and 2017-2021, with exposure to heat also causing a loss of 167.2 billion potential labor hours among Indians in 2021, resulting in a loss of incomes equivalent to about 5.4% of the country's GDP.

Despite the alarming situation, India has failed to understand the severity of heat and its effects on health. The country's first heat action plan was introduced in Ahmedabad in 2013, but the study of 37 heat action plans at the city, district, and state levels revealed significant shortcomings. Most plans were not tailored to the local context, and only ten had established temperature thresholds. None adequately identified and targeted vulnerable groups, while under funding, insufficient legal foundations, and a lack of transparency and accountability compounded the issues.

Solutions to heatwaves can be simple, such as planting trees in extremely hot areas or using design choices to reduce heat gain in buildings. It is essential to address the issue now before it becomes more significant and has more severe consequences.