India Faces Intensifying Heat Risks Amid Climate Change Challenges
A recent report indicates that India has not yet experienced the worst heat extremes linked to climate change, with the country's land mass warming by 0.88 degrees Celsius from 1980-90 to 2015-24, compared to the global average of 1.4 degrees Celsius. The paper, published by Harvard's Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, highlights that about 380 million people, or three-fourths of India's workforce, are engaged in heat-exposed labour. By 2030, up to 200 million people could encounter lethal heat conditions. The report also notes that winter daytime temperatures in northern India show weaker warming trends, attributed to air pollution and irrigation practices. Policymakers are urged to establish frameworks for heat resilience, including improved early-warning systems and coordination across sectors, as extreme heat poses significant health and economic risks.
Published 1 day ago • 20 Apr 2026, 09:12 AM IST