With rising global temperatures, heatwaves have become an increasing threat to urban populations in India. However, recent studies indicate that major Indian cities lack adequate preparedness to combat the growing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events. A report by the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), which analyzed nine major cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Faridabad, Gwalior, Kota, Ludhiana, Meerut, and Surat—revealed significant gaps in long-term strategies to address heat-related risks. These cities, home to over 11% of India’s urban population, are particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
The Current State of Heatwave Preparedness
The SFC report found that most Indian cities focus only on immediate responses to heatwaves rather than developing long-term resilience plans. Heat Action Plans (HAPs), where they exist, are often reactive rather than preventive, leading to higher heat-related mortality and health risks. Furthermore, many city officials do not perceive heat as a major crisis, which hampers the development of robust policies.
Who is Most Vulnerable?
The most affected groups during heatwaves are those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. These include:
- Construction workers, delivery personnel, and street vendors, who spend long hours under extreme heat conditions.
- Residents of informal settlements, who lack access to proper cooling mechanisms, ventilation, or water supply.
- Elderly individuals, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, who are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as dehydration and heatstroke.
Challenges Faced by Local Governments
City administrations face multiple hurdles in tackling heatwaves effectively, including:
- Poor coordination among departments, making it difficult to implement comprehensive policies.
- Competing priorities, with heat resilience often taking a backseat to other urban challenges such as infrastructure development and pollution control.
- Limited awareness about the severity of heat-related risks among policymakers and the general public.
What Needs to Be Done?
The report suggests several key measures to strengthen Heat Action Plans (HAPs) and build long-term resilience, including:
- Establishing dedicated, funded climate specialist roles in highly vulnerable districts to ensure continuity in planning.
- Training local government officials to implement and oversee heat-related policies more effectively.
- Developing early warning systems, heat shelters, and cooling centres in urban areas to protect at-risk populations.
- Integrating heatwave preparedness into urban planning, ensuring that green spaces, water bodies, and heat-resistant infrastructure are prioritized.
Capacity Building: The Need for Urgent Action
A sustained, long-term approach to heat resilience is essential to prevent public health disasters and economic damage in the coming years. Immediate action is required to implement heatwave mitigation measures, as delays could result in severe consequences for urban populations.
With climate change accelerating, Indian cities must urgently revamp their heatwave preparedness strategies to safeguard lives, health, and livelihoods. A well-structured and proactive approach will not only reduce mortality rates but also enhance urban resilience in the face of extreme climate events.