Datanomics: India's heatwave crisis at boiling point; economic risks mount

India is facing one of its worst heatwaves in recent history, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius across northern region including Delhi, Lucknow, and parts of Rajasthan. Red alerts, school closures, and health warnings have been issued as the country grapples with extreme conditions following 2024 —  the hottest year ever recorded globally. The economic toll is rising too. India could see 34 million of the projected 80 million global job losses from heat stress by 2030. The RBI has warned that up to 4.5 per cent of GDP might be at risk this decade due to lost labour hours from extreme heat and humidity.    

Heatwave days

 

India has seen a spike in the number of heatwave days in recent years. This year, even typically cooler regions such as Jammu & Kashmir reported six heatwave days in May.      Deaths due to extreme heat  The increase in heatwave events has had a severe human toll. Between 2014 and 2022, thousands died from heat and sun strokes, with the highest toll in 2015, when 1,908 deaths were recorded.      Getting warmer by the year  Heatwave days across India are projected to rise sharply by 2030 and 2040, with widespread impact expected. (Projected % rise in heatwave days across regions)