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India Faces 15,800 Extra Heat Deaths: Is the Nation Ready for a Stronger El Niño?
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Moneycontrol•25-09-2026, 13:28
India Faces 15,800 Extra Heat Deaths: Is the Nation Ready for a Stronger El Niño?
- •A new Climate Impact Lab study projects 15,800 additional heat-related deaths in India over the next six months due to the current El Niño, compared to a normal year.
- •Globally, the El Niño event could lead to 451,000 additional heat-related deaths during its first nine months (June 2026-February 2027), with India expected to see significant impact.
- •While 23 states, 195 districts, and 64 cities have Heat Action Plans (HAPs), government data lacks information on population coverage and uniform implementation, raising concerns about preparedness.
- •The projection highlights the need for effective interventions like heat warnings, cooling centers, and worker protections, many of which are already part of India's response framework.
- •The study serves as a "stress test" for India's heat-response architecture, urging a shift from seasonal emergency management to long-term urban planning to withstand increasing extreme temperatures.
Key Questions Answered
A climate study by the Climate Impact Lab projects 15,800 additional heat-related deaths in India over a six-month period from September 2026 to February 2027 compared to a normal year.
According to the Centre's reply in the Rajya Sabha, Heat Action Plans have been formulated by 23 states, 195 districts, and 64 cities.
Following the recognition of heatwaves as a notified natural calamity, states can access the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to finance local protective measures.
