India Gears Up for Heatwave Days: Understanding the Rising Threat of Extreme Heat

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With temperatures already soaring, India braces for an intense summer season. Experts point to global warming, urbanisation, and delayed rainfall as key drivers of the crisis. As summer settles in, India is once again staring down the barrel of an increasingly familiar crisis—heatwaves. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), most parts of the country are expected to experience higher-than-normal maximum temperatures from April to June 2025, except for a few areas in western and eastern India where temperatures might remain closer to average.

This worrying forecast comes after an already warmer-than-usual winter, with January, February, and March setting temperature records across the country. In a climate-first, February 2025 marked India’s first recorded winter heatwave, signaling the deepening grip of climate change.

What Is a Heatwave?

A heatwave is defined by the IMD as a period of abnormally high temperatures occurring between March and June in India. The criteria vary by region:

• 40°C or more in plains

• 37°C or more in coastal areas

• 30°C or more in hilly regions

But the statistics don’t capture the lived reality: scorching streets, parched fields, and vulnerable populations exposed to brutal conditions.

Why Are Heatwaves Getting Worse?

Heatwaves are no longer just seasonal occurrences. Experts believe their intensity and frequency are the result of the interplay between global warming and local environmental degradation.

“Heatwaves are a result of the interplay of global warming and local factors,” explains M. Mohapatra, Director-General of IMD. “April to June will be hotter than usual, with more heatwaves likely in many states.”

Contributing factors include:

• Urbanisation: Concrete jungles trap heat, creating urban heat islands.

• Deforestation: Fewer trees mean less natural cooling.

• High atmospheric pressure: Leads to clear skies, slow winds, and minimal rainfall.

• Delayed western disturbances: These typically bring cooling rains to northern India; when late, they extend heatwaves.

• Loo winds: Hot, dry gusts from the Thar Desert worsen the heat in northern regions.

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Who Is Most at Risk?

India’s informal workforce—comprising a significant portion of the population—faces the brunt of this crisis. From street vendors and farmers to construction workers, millions must continue working outdoors in blistering heat, often without adequate protection.

Yet, despite the rising death tolls—hundreds lose their lives every year due to heat-related illnesses—heatwaves are not classified as a "notified disaster" under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This classification is essential for mobilising national-level disaster relief and preventive infrastructure.

The Bigger Picture: Global Warming at Play

Global warming has pushed the planet into uncharted territory. Rising sea temperatures, melting glaciers, and shifting wind patterns are all part of a larger, more dangerous climate narrative. India, with its dense population and fragile infrastructure, is especially vulnerable.

Even major cities are at risk of being reshaped by climate. Bengaluru could become hotter than Delhi by 2030, while coastal states like Goa and Maharashtra are already experiencing early, intense heatwaves—a stark departure from historic patterns.

What Needs to Be Done?

Dealing with heatwaves requires a multi-layered approach:

• Recognising heatwaves as disasters in national policies

• Developing early warning systems and public alerts

• Creating heat action plans for states and cities

• Investing in urban green cover and water conservation

• Raising awareness about heat-related illnesses and preventive care

Conclusion

As India prepares for one of its hottest summers yet, the message is clear: heatwaves are no longer just seasonal inconveniences—they are deadly, recurring disasters. Without bold steps in climate adaptation and policy reform, the country risks entering a new normal where extreme heat becomes an everyday challenge.

The heat is rising—and so must the urgency to act.