Answer

Heatwaves are the prolonged periods of extreme heat exceeding normal temperature thresholds, which have intensified in India due to climate change. In 2024, India recorded 554 heatwave days across multiple states, with peak temperatures soaring above 47°C. This rise has exacerbated heat-related illnesses, disproportionately affecting elderly, laborers, and low-income communities.

Heatwaves as a Major Public Health Challenge in India

• Rising Frequency and Intensity: India experienced its most intense heatwave year in 2024, with June in the northwestern region recording 181 heatwave days, highlighting the growing climate crisis.
  For example: The Odisha heatwave of 1998 caused over 2,000 deaths, leading to India’s earliest city heat health action plan in 1999 to mitigate future risks.
• Increased Mortality and Morbidity: Extreme heat leads to dehydration, heat strokes, cardiovascular distress, and respiratory ailments, with elderly and those with pre-existing conditions at higher risk.
• Urban Heat Island Effect: Rapid urbanization has resulted in hotter cities, with urban areas experiencing higher temperatures than rural areas, amplifying health risks.
  For example: Delhi’s concrete-heavy landscape and limited green cover led to a significant rise in nighttime temperatures, worsening heat stress in slum dwellings.
• Disruptions in Essential Services: Heatwaves cause water shortages, power outages, and school closures, exacerbating hardships and economic losses in vulnerable communities.
• Impact on Labor Productivity and Economy: Heat exposure reduces worker productivity, raises healthcare costs, and, according to the ILO, could lead to a 2.2% loss in total working hours equivalent to 80 million full-time jobs and GDP losses of up to 2.8%, impacting industries and livelihoods.
  

Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Populations

• Elderly and Children at Higher Risk: Older adults and children are less able to regulate body temperature, making them highly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
  For example: In Jharkhand (2024), a prolonged heatwave led to increased pediatric hospital admissions, with severe dehydration cases in children under five.
• Low-Income Communities and Slum Dwellers: People in poor housing conditions lack access to cooling mechanisms, making them more susceptible to heat stress and fatalities.
• Outdoor Workers Face Extreme Heat Exposure: Construction workers, farmers, and street vendors endure long hours in direct sunlight, increasing heatstroke risks and productivity losses.
  For example: In Rajasthan, farm laborers reported heat-related illnesses due to extreme temperatures affecting their ability to work.
• Women Face Additional Risks: Many women, especially in rural areas, are responsible for fetching water and household chores, increasing their exposure to intense heat.
• Pre-existing Medical Conditions Aggravated: People with diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory diseases suffer more due to heat-induced complications, increasing hospitalizations and deaths.

Role of Heat Health Governance in Building Resilience

• Early Warning and Alert Systems: Accurate heat forecasts and public warnings help in timely preparation and response to mitigate health risks.
  For example: The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan (2013) introduced color-coded alerts, helping residents and hospitals prepare for extreme temperatures.
• Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure: Equipping hospitals with cooling spaces, training health professionals, and ensuring adequate medical supplies can reduce heat-related mortality.
  For example: The Thane HAP includes real-time surveillance to track heatstroke cases and provide immediate medical interventions.
• Targeted Protection for Vulnerable Groups: Creating cooling centers, distributing ORS packets, and ensuring water availability help safeguard low-income communities.
  For example: In Bhubaneswar, temporary shade structures and hydration stations were installed in crowded markets to prevent heat exhaustion.
• Long-Term Urban Planning and Green Infrastructure: Expanding green cover, promoting reflective roofs, and creating water bodies can significantly lower urban temperatures.
  For example: Surat’s HAP introduced cool-roof initiatives in slums, reducing indoor temperatures by 3-4°C, benefiting thousands of residents.
• Legal Frameworks for Heat Governance: Implementing a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for heat, similar to air pollution measures, can ensure automatic policy activation.

Strengthening heat health governance is crucial to mitigating the escalating threat of heatwaves. A proactive approach, integrating early warning systems, urban heat action plans, resilient infrastructure, and community engagement, can safeguard lives. With climate change intensifying extreme heat, furthering collaborative policymaking, scientific innovation, and sustainable urban planning will be key to long-term resilience.

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