Why extreme heat is a significant concern is what a study tries to explain by painting a concerning picture of how deadly the heat can truly be.
Read Full StoryThey then estimated that just one day of extreme heat across the country could lead to around 3,400 excess deaths, and a five-day heatwave might cause nearly 30,000.
Concrete settlements in urban regions make the surroundings warm even after the Sun sets, and any relief from heat remains missing for millions.
Districts in cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Surat could each see more than 250 extra deaths in a single extreme day.
The research calls for better preparation by highlighting precisely how extreme heat is not just an issue of prolonged discomfort but a growing public health emergency that demands attention now, before the next wave hits.
The summer of 2026 has seen temperatures soar past 45°C in many parts of India, renewing focus on the issue of extreme heat that is increasingly becoming frequent and is being considered normal each year.
Neither should be happening.
Why extreme heat is a significant concern is what a study tries to explain by painting a concerning picture of how deadly the heat can truly be. The team of researchers used data from earlier studies on 10 Indian cities and applied it nationwide, looking at all districts.
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They then estimated that just one day of extreme heat across the country could lead to around 3,400 excess deaths, and a five-day heatwave might cause nearly 30,000.
Read that again in the context of what has happened in 2026 so far, and the numbers start adding up quickly. A woman covers her child amid a heatwave on a summer day, in Varanasi. (Photo: PTI)
A NATION OF EXTREME SUMMERS
India is no stranger to blistering summers, with heatwaves growing longer and more intense in recent years.
In 2024, parts of Rajasthan hit a staggering 50.5°C, while cities like Delhi recorded their hottest nights in years.
This year, 2026, has seen similar extremes gripping northern, central, and western states, with severe heat alerts in places like Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Another major issue that has emerged this year is that of warm nights that take away the little window of relief, too.
Concrete settlements in urban regions make the surroundings warm even after the Sun sets, and any relief from heat remains missing for millions. And of course, how the heat affects people disproportionately.
Farmers, outdoor workers, and the elderly often bear the brunt, as they are more exposed and more vulnerable to rising temperatures. A woman pours water on a child to provide relief from the scorching heat. (Photo: PTI)
THE HIDDEN HUMAN COST
The numbers the study arrived at are made more concerning by the fact that we hear so little about these deaths.
Official counts of "heatstroke deaths" are often low, sometimes just a few hundred in a bad season, because many heat-related deaths are not labelled as such.
They show up instead as heart attacks, breathing problems, or other causes, especially among vulnerable people. This general lack of clear, detailed data on heat mortality has long made it hard for authorities and the public to grasp the full scale of the problem. Â People cover themselves due to scorching heat in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)
The new study by researchers Piyush Narang and Ashok Gadgil from UC Berkeley, tries to fill that gap.
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Their figures are described as careful lower-bound estimates, meaning the real impact could be even higher, especially in rural areas where people have less protection from the Sun and heat.
Uttar Pradesh stands out in the findings, potentially seeing over 8,000 excess deaths in a five-day heatwave.
Districts in cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Surat could each see more than 250 extra deaths in a single extreme day. A child pours water on himself to cool down during an ongoing heatwave. (Photo: Unsplash)
The study further noted that poorer states with lower GDP often suffer a much heavier burden relative to their resources, raising urgent questions about fair support and planning.
With heatwaves expected to become more frequent as the planet warms, experts say India needs better local early warnings, stronger healthcare readiness during hot spells, and targeted help for high-risk areas.
The research calls for better preparation by highlighting precisely how extreme heat is not just an issue of prolonged discomfort but a growing public health emergency that demands attention now, before the next wave hits.
- Ends
Published By: Aryan Published On: Jun 1, 2026 13:40 IST
