Indian Cities Face Rising Heatwave Risks with Insufficient Long-Term Planning

A new report highlights the reliance on short-term measures in nine vulnerable cities, urging immediate action on sustainable strategies to prevent worsening impacts.

• Nine major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, are increasingly vulnerable to extreme heat waves due to climate change, with over 11% of India's urban population at risk.
• Current responses focus on short-term measures such as providing drinking water, adjusting work schedules, and increasing hospital capacity during heat waves.
• Long-term strategies, including urban cooling initiatives, occupational protections, and better urban planning, remain poorly implemented or absent in these cities.
• The Urban Heat Island effect, driven by factors like vehicular emissions and dense urbanization, exacerbates heat risks, particularly in cities like Mumbai.
• Experts recommend enhancing green cover, appointing empowered Chief Heat Officers, and integrating heat adaptation into urban planning to mitigate rising risks and prevent future heat-related deaths.

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