NUNZIUM

India is grappling with the devastating effects of heatwaves as temperatures soar to 45°C (113°F) in recent weeks. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued heatwave alerts for some states, and with the southwest monsoon delayed until the first week of June, the situation is becoming increasingly dire for the country's vulnerable communities, particularly poor and daily-wage laborers working in outdoor industries such as construction.

In April, 13 people died from heatstroke in Maharashtra, and over 12 suffered from heat-related illnesses. Heatwaves have claimed more than 17,000 lives in India over the past 50 years, with South Asia being one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change. Temperatures in South Asia are now at least 2°C (3.6°F) hotter than in pre-industrial times, increasing the risks of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.

India is expected to lose 34 million jobs by 2030 due to heatwaves, and agricultural productivity and food security are also at risk. Despite having a lower per capita carbon footprint than Western industrialized nations, the Earth's surface temperature is on track to rise 2.7°C above preindustrial levels by 2100, pushing over 2 billion people worldwide outside the climate comfort zone – including 600 million in India.

In mid-April, a record-breaking heatwave struck Bihar, India, where temperatures exceeded 44 degrees Celsius. Bihar is the third-most populous Indian state, with a population of over 100 million, and has the country's lowest per capita GDP. Agriculture accounts for 77% of employment and 25% of the state's GDP, making it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of heatwaves.

Bihar established a Heat Action Plan (HAP) under the responsibility of the Disaster Management Department (DMD). However, insufficient infrastructure and funding have hindered the implementation of HAP actions. Over 500 public drinking water outlets have been built, but few are visible or accessible. Furthermore, the Heat Action Plan was formulated without input from climate researchers, leading to a lack of comprehensive understanding of the problem.

Aditya Valiathan Pillai, a fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, highlights the need for proper funding, implementation, and review of HAPs. Environmental activist Devopriya Dutta emphasizes the need for authorities to work on ground-level implementation to prevent further loss of life.

Recurring heatwaves in New Delhi are also affecting outdoor workers, with the Indian Meteorological Department issuing heatwave warnings on May 22 as temperatures in certain areas crossed 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). Since 2010, an estimated 6,500 people have died from heat-related illnesses.

A drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is needed to prevent further heatwaves, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change calling for a 45 to 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. Unfortunately, many Indian cities' heat action plans are inadequate or not implemented properly, highlighting the need for better city planning and housing infrastructure to adapt to heat stress.

India's escalating heatwave crisis demands urgent and comprehensive action. With millions of lives and livelihoods at stake, it is crucial for authorities to invest in effective heat action plans, improved infrastructure, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions to protect the country's most vulnerable populations and ensure a sustainable future.