India Faces Severe Health and Economic Impacts Due to Extreme Heatwaves

India is grappling with intense heatwaves as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert in Delhi, warning of a heatwave until April 9. On April 7, the capital is expected to experience a clear sky with temperatures ranging from 40 to 42 degrees Celsius during the day and between 21 to 23 degrees Celsius at night. This follows a maximum temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius recorded on April 6, which is 3.1 degrees above the seasonal average. The minimum temperature that day was 18.5 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than the usual seasonal figures.

In addition to Delhi, the IMD has predicted heatwaves for several other northern plains areas, including Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab, extending over the next four to five days. The ongoing and escalating heatwaves have prompted experts to raise alarms about the growing health and economic risks posed by these extreme temperatures.

Health and Economic Impacts of Rising Temperatures

The Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC) has highlighted the increasing frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves in India, warning of an escalating toll on public health in the coming years. The SFC conducted a study of nine major Indian cities—Bengaluru, Delhi, Faridabad, Gwalior, Kota, Ludhiana, Meerut, Mumbai, and Surat—that together represent over 11% of the country’s urban population. These cities are identified as the most vulnerable to extreme heat in the future. The report suggests that heatwaves, which cause dehydration, heatstroke, and other heat-related illnesses, are already contributing to a rise in mortality rates,

particularly among vulnerable populations.

The report also calls for urgent institutional changes to combat these extreme temperatures, including developing heat action plans, building health staff capacity, and implementing energy-efficient cooling technologies. It also points out the challenges in addressing this issue, such as the lack of coordination among various institutions and the competing priorities that often limit attention to the heat crisis.

The economic consequences of extreme heat are equally concerning. India’s agricultural sector, which accounts for about 16% of the national GDP and employs nearly half of the country’s workforce, is particularly vulnerable. The impact of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, on crop yields has already led to significant losses. Between 2016 and 2021, India experienced widespread damage to crops, affecting over 36 million hectares and resulting in an economic loss of approximately $3.75 billion. This highlights the importance of addressing the economic vulnerabilities of India’s agriculture, as climate change-induced extreme weather events continue to increase in severity.

Furthermore, projections show that labour productivity is also at risk. A study by the BBC reveals that under 1.5°C of global warming, labour productivity is expected to decline by 5% compared to the reference period of 1986-2006. However, this decline will be even more pronounced under higher temperature scenarios, with a 2.1 times greater drop at 2.5°C of warming and a 2.7 times greater drop at 3°C.

Conclusion: Urgent Measures Required

The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in India necessitate immediate action to mitigate both the health and economic impacts. Government agencies, local authorities, and institutions must prioritize the development and implementation of comprehensive heat action plans, investing in the necessary infrastructure to provide relief to vulnerable populations and protect agricultural productivity. Failure to do so could result in more severe economic consequences, particularly for India’s agriculture and workforce.

As the country faces an uncertain future marked by escalating temperatures and extreme weather events, urgent and coordinated efforts are required at all levels to address the escalating crisis. Failure to act now will not only exacerbate the health burden but also deepen the economic losses already felt in sectors like agriculture and labor productivity.

Source :The Indian Meteorological Department