A recent report from the medical journal The Lancet indicates that nearly one-third of India's heatwave days in 2024 were attributed to climate change. The study also outlines significant economic and health consequences globally, including an increase in heat-related mortality and widespread exposure to extreme heat driven by climatic shifts.
India's Heatwave Statistics
The Lancet report found that India experienced an average of 19.8 heatwave days in 2024. Of these, 6.6 days were identified as having occurred due to human-induced climate change. Heat exposure during this period resulted in an estimated loss of 247 billion potential labour hours, predominantly in the agriculture and construction sectors. This amounted to an approximate economic loss of $194 billion (£151 billion). Heatwave frequency and intensity in India have increased over recent decades, a trend linked to global warming.
Health Consequences and Global Data
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can impact health by overwhelming the body's temperature regulation. This raises the risk of conditions such as dehydration, heatstroke, cardiovascular stress, and mortality, particularly for vulnerable populations including the elderly, infants, and outdoor workers.
The 2025 Lancet Countdown report indicates that health risks associated with rising global temperatures are now more severe. The report noted 152 record-breaking extreme weather events across 61 countries last year, with extreme heat events intensifying beyond previous predictions. Worldwide heat-related mortality has increased by 23% since the 1990s, with an average of approximately 546,000 deaths occurring annually. The report also found that the average person globally experienced 16 days of extreme heat last year that would not have occurred without climate change.
Environmental Context
India is identified as one of the most polluted countries globally.