Researchers warn that rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves could significantly increase heat-related mortality across the country.
New Delhi (Economy India): A single day of extreme heat results in approximately 3,400 excess deaths across India, while a prolonged five-day heatwave can lead to nearly 30,000 excess deaths, according to a new study by researchers from the India Energy and Climate Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
The study, conducted by researchers Piyush Narang and Ashok Gadgil, highlights the growing public health risks associated with rising temperatures and increasingly frequent heatwaves across India.
According to the researchers, while global studies have consistently shown a rise in heat-related deaths due to climate change, detailed district-level data on the impact of heatwaves in India remains largely inaccessible to researchers and policymakers.
To overcome this limitation, the team adapted findings from a multi-city analysis of heat-related mortality conducted across 10 Indian cities and used the data to estimate excess deaths across districts nationwide.
The findings underscore the severe consequences of extreme heat on public health, particularly in a country where millions of people are exposed to high temperatures for extended periods each year. Vulnerable populations, including elderly individuals, outdoor workers, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, face the highest risks during heatwave events.
Researchers noted that heat-related deaths are often underreported because extreme heat frequently exacerbates existing cardiovascular, respiratory, and kidney-related illnesses rather than being recorded as the direct cause of death.
The study arrives as India continues to experience increasingly intense heatwaves, a trend many climate scientists associate with global warming and changing weather patterns. Experts have repeatedly called for stronger heat action plans, improved early warning systems, and better public awareness campaigns to reduce heat-related fatalities.
Key Findings
- One day of extreme heat may cause around 3,400 excess deaths across India.
- A five-day heatwave could result in nearly 30,000 excess deaths.
- Researchers used data from 10 Indian cities to estimate mortality impacts across all districts.
- Heat-related deaths are likely undercounted in official records.
- Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events.
Why It Matters
India is among the countries most vulnerable to extreme heat due to its large population, rapid urbanization, and dependence on outdoor labor. The study highlights the urgent need for climate adaptation measures, stronger healthcare preparedness, and effective heatwave response strategies to protect communities from rising temperatures.
As heatwaves become more frequent and severe, experts warn that the human and economic costs of extreme heat could continue to rise without timely intervention.
(Economy India)
