Heatwave Days to Double in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Patna and other Indian Cities by 2030

Heatwave Days to Double in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Patna and other Indian Cities by 2030 – Study

The Burning Truth: Heatwaves Slowly Killing Us

KAKALI DAS

The sun, once a symbol of life and warmth, has become a fierce and dangerous force. Climate change is making heatwaves across the world hotter, longer, and more deadly.

In India, cities like New Delhi are facing extremely high temperatures, with thermometers crossing 40 degrees Celsius. Even at night, there is little relief from the heat.

People who are elderly, young children, and workers who must be outside face serious health risks every day. This is not just a harsh summer, it is a warning about the growing climate crisis.

Signs of this crisis are everywhere. Arctic ice is shrinking, seas are heating up, and extreme weather is becoming normal. The problems caused by climate change are no longer something we might see in the future — they are happening now, and the dangers are very real.

For a long time, scientists warned us that the Earth was slowly warming. But now, it feels like the planet is burning. Climate change was once a slow, quiet threat. But today, it has burst into full view. The sun, which gives life to the planet, is now causing dangerous heat.

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In 2025, the world did not just get warmer, it sizzled. Across many countries and continents, the skies stayed bright and hot, and temperature records were broken one after another.

Heatwaves are more severe today because the atmosphere and oceans are warmer than before. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, which affects weather patterns and makes heatwaves more intense and longer-lasting. This means heatwaves that happened in the past are now much stronger and more frequent.

In April and May of 2025, global temperatures reached levels rarely seen in recorded history. Places like the Russian Far East, Australia, Central Asia, and even parts of Antarctica saw the mercury rise to alarmingly high levels.

Global sea surface temperatures averaged 20.8 degrees Celsius in April 2025 – the highest ever recorded. At the same time, Arctic sea ice was 23% below normal, and Antarctica’s ice was 10% below average. These are clear signs of how much the planet is heating.

Europe faced devastating floods in the middle of the continent, while fires and heatwaves struck the edges. Meanwhile, India was entering what felt like an oven. In early June, New Delhi experienced dry and burning heat, with temperatures at the city’s central weather station reaching 42.1 degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that the temperature could stay around 45 degrees Celsius for several days. A red alert was issued for Delhi, signaling extreme danger from the heat. People were urged to stay indoors, drink plenty of water, and avoid going outside during the hottest parts of the day.

Relief was promised only through thunderstorms expected later in the week. Until then, Delhi stood trapped under the sun’s fierce heat.

New Delhi is not the only city suffering. In Guwahati, Assam, temperatures stayed above 37 degrees Celsius for three days in a row. Many people struggled under the intense heat. Thankfully, rains arrived recently and helped break the heatwave, giving the city some relief.

A new study by IPE Global and Esri India, released on June 10, 2025, warns that several major Indian cities are likely to face many more heatwave days in the future. Mumbai, Thane, Chennai, Delhi, Surat, Hyderabad, Patna, and Bhubaneswar are expected to see the number of heatwave days double in the coming years.

This study, called “Weathering the Storm: Managing Monsoons in a Warming Climate,” was shared at the International Global-South Climate Risk Symposium in New Delhi. It was part of the 62nd session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will be held in Bonn, Germany from June 16 to 26, 2025.

Heat is no longer just uncomfortable; it is killing people. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly half a million people die from heat-related causes every year worldwide. Almost 45% of these deaths happen in Asia.

Heat strokes, heart problems, and kidney failure can happen very quickly when temperatures rise dangerously high. When the body tries to cool itself by sweating, high humidity stops sweat from evaporating. This causes the body’s core temperature to rise, leading to severe organ damage or even death if not treated immediately.

People who work outdoors, children, the elderly, and the urban poor are most at risk. Poor housing conditions, metal roofs that trap heat, and loss of green spaces in cities make the situation worse.

There is still hope. Public awareness about heat dangers, early warning systems for heatwaves, and simple personal actions can save many lives. People need to stay informed, stay hydrated, and avoid unnecessary exposure to extreme heat.

The WHO is urging countries to build stronger health systems that can handle the impacts of climate change. This includes preparing for heatwaves and other climate risks while also working hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

The future of millions depends on urgent and united global action. Governments, communities, and individuals must work together to slow climate change and protect vulnerable people from extreme heat.

If the sun continues to rise and rage like this, nobody knows how much worse summers will become. The time to act is now, to reduce emissions, protect the environment, and prepare for the heatwaves that are already here.

Because this is not just a hot summer. It is a clear warning that our planet is in crisis.

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