A recent report titled People Exposed to Climate Change: June-August 2024 by Climate Central, released on September 18, 2024, paints a stark picture of the climate crisis in India. This summer has been India’s second hottest period since 1970, with temperatures soaring across several regions, putting millions of people at risk.

Cities Most Affected by Extreme Heat

According to climate specialists Joseph Giguere and Andrew Pershing, several cities in India experienced unprecedented levels of heat between June and August 2024. The most affected cities include:

• Thiruvananthapuram
• Kavaratti
• Port Blair
• Vasai
• Virar
• Thane
• Mumbai

These cities endured over 70 days of extreme heat, with temperatures consistently above the danger threshold. Mumbai, in particular, faced 54 days where the temperature exceeded 39 degrees Celsius, posing significant risks to human health.

The Impact on Millions

According to the analysis, over 20.5 million people in India experienced exceptionally high temperatures for at least 60 days over the past three months. This makes India the Southern Asian country with the largest population exposed to climate change-driven temperatures. The heatwaves were particularly intense in major cities like New Delhi, Lucknow, and Chandigarh, where residents endured extreme heat lasting for more than a week at a time.

Andrew Pershing, Vice President for Science at Climate Central, emphasized the role of climate change in this record-breaking heat. “Climate change made these hot temperatures more likely and severe,” he noted. The study underscores the urgency of reducing carbon emissions from coal, oil, and gas, which are key contributors to rising temperatures.

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Climate Crisis in India

The report reveals that over 426 million people in India experienced at least seven days of potentially dangerous temperatures, far exceeding the 90% temperature threshold recorded in a specific area between 1991 and 2020. This temperature threshold, known as the local minimum mortality temperature, is a crucial indicator of the link between heat and increased mortality risk.

Even more alarming, over 112 million people were exposed to these dangerous heat levels for an entire month, raising concerns about the long-term health impacts of such extreme conditions.

Also Read: Climate Change In India: How’s 2024 Been So Far?

Global Context: Heatwaves on the Rise

India is not alone in facing these unprecedented heatwaves. Between June and August 2024, 2 billion people worldwide were exposed to more than 30 days of dangerously high temperatures caused by climate change. Across 72 countries, this summer was the hottest on record since at least 1970, with 180 cities in the Northern Hemisphere experiencing severe heatwaves. These heatwaves are now 21 times more likely due to carbon pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

The study used temperature anomalies and the Climate Shift Index to quantify how human-induced climate change affected the region during these months. Pershing noted that without significant reductions in fossil fuel use, Indian summers will continue to get hotter and deadlier, leaving the population vulnerable to the intensifying effects of climate change.

Health Risks from Dangerous Heat Days

To assess the risks of extreme heat, researchers examined dangerous heat days, which are days when temperatures significantly surpass historical records. These dangerous heat days—where temperatures are higher than 90% of those measured between 1991 and 2020—mark a tipping point at which heat-related health risks increase sharply.

As climate change continues to drive these extreme temperatures, the health risks associated with heatwaves—such as heatstroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular complications—are becoming more prevalent. Vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, are at greatest risk.

Also Read: Dhruv Rathee’s Take On Extreme Heatwave In India

A Call to Action

This summer’s heatwave is a clear warning about the climate crisis in India. With over one billion people in India exposed to potentially deadly heat for more than a week, immediate action is needed to reduce carbon emissions and transition to more sustainable energy sources. Without decisive global action, the frequency and intensity of these heatwaves will continue to rise, putting millions more lives at risk.

As the report highlights, “Summers in India will continue to become hotter and more deadly unless the world stops using coal, oil, and gas.” The time to act is now to protect both the environment and the health of future generations.

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