Study on ‘How Extreme Heat is Impacting India: Assessing District-level Heat Risk’

Study on ‘How Extreme Heat is Impacting India: Assessing District-level Heat Risk’ : A recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) reveals that 76% of India’s population across 417 districts faces very high risk from extreme heat, with rising humidity and warmer nights intensifying the crisis.

• Key Findings: Widespread Heat Vulnerability → 417 districts: High to very high risk

          → 201 districts: Moderate risk                                → 116 districts: Low risk

o Dry cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kanpur, and Varanasi are now recording humidity levels of 40–50%, compared to historical levels of 30–40%.

o 70% of districts saw more than five additional very warm nights per summer between 2012–2022 (compared to 1982–2011 baseline).

o Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Bhubaneswar experience intensified urban heat island effects.

o Public Health Implications: Increased risk of heat strokes, dehydration, and cardiovascular issues, particularly for elderly, children, and outdoor workers in vulnerable regions.

• About CEEW : Independent not-for-profit think tank and policy research institution

o Established: 2010 : Headquarters: New Delhi, India

o Objective : Aims to develop integrated, evidence-based solutions for India’s balanced growth and sustainable development

ü Provides independent, research-driven insights to guide policymakers

o Key Research Areas: Focuses on energy and resource efficiency, power sector reforms, industrial decarbonization, sustainable mobility and cooling, climate risks and adaptation, geoengineering governance, air quality, water resource management, sustainable food systems, sustainable finance, and the interlinkages between energy, trade, and climate.