India reeling under severe heatwave conditions

Heatwave conditions are raging across India. Sweltering heat is forcing people to stay indoors. According to an India Today (IT) report, India is at the epicentre of a global heat surge, with an overwhelming 95 of the world’s 100 hottest cities located in the country today, according to real-time global temperature rankings. The list is dominated not just by major urban centres but also smaller towns, reflecting how widespread and deep the heatwave conditions have become.

A Times of India (TOI) report says India’s peak power demand reached an all-time high of 252 GW on April 24, as temperatures soared across the country. Quoting data from Grid Controller of India, the TOI report said, electricity demand touched 252.1 GW, driven by increased use of air-conditioners in both domestic and commercial sectors. The earlier highest-ever demand was registered on May 30, 2024, when it clocked 249.9 GW.

The TOI report adds that the sudden jump in demand is largely attributed to soaring temperatures across north, central, and eastern India. Heatwave conditions have intensified in several regions, including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, prompting increased reliance on cooling systems. Officials noted that power demand has risen sharply in recent days after remaining relatively subdued earlier in April due to mild weather and sporadic rainfall. Since mid-April, however, a sustained rise in temperatures has led to a steep increase in electricity consumption.

The World Health Organization (WHO) website says global temperatures and the frequency and intensity of heatwaves will rise in the 21st century as a result of climate change. High air temperatures can affect human health and lead to additional deaths. Extended periods of high day and nighttime temperatures create cumulative physiological stress on the human body which exacerbates the top causes of death globally, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and renal disease. Heatwaves can acutely impact large populations for short periods of time, often trigger public health emergencies, and result in excess mortality, and cascading socioeconomic impacts (e.g., lost work capacity and labour productivity). They can also cause loss of health service delivery capacity, where power-shortages which often accompany heatwaves disrupt health facilities, transport, and water infrastructure. In India, heat waves typically occur from March to June, and in some rare cases, even extend till July. On an average, five-six heat wave events occur every year over the northern parts of the country. Single events can last weeks, occur consecutively, and can impact large population.

States such as Maharashtra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha are among the worst affected, with multiple cities from each region featuring prominently in the global top 100 hottest cities, according to the IT report. The concentration of extreme heat across such a vast geography underscores the severity of current weather conditions. Meteorologists attribute the surge to a combination of factors, including persistent dry winds, clear skies, and delayed pre-monsoon activity. The absence of significant rainfall and cloud cover has allowed temperatures to rise rapidly during the day, while warm nights are preventing any meaningful cooling.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has already issued heatwave warnings across several regions, the IT report points out, cautioning that conditions are likely to persist over the coming days. Prolonged exposure to such temperatures can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and outdoor workers. What makes the current situation particularly concerning is the scale of synchronised heat across the country. Unlike localised heat events, this wave spans multiple states simultaneously, pushing a large number of cities into the global extreme temperature rankings at the same time. Experts say such patterns are becoming more frequent, pointing to broader climatic shifts and rising baseline temperatures. Urban heat island effects, shrinking green cover and changing weather systems are also amplifying the impact in many regions.

Despite the relentless heat, the IT report says, some relief may be on the horizon. Forecasts indicate the possibility of thunderstorms and gusty winds in parts of eastern and northeastern India over the next few days. However, a significant and sustained drop in temperatures is unlikely until stronger pre-monsoon systems or the monsoon itself advances further.