Climate Change and Heatwave Impacts on India

Recent Heatwave Trends

• 2023 Early Heatwave:
  By end-February, Goa and Maharashtra experienced the year's first heatwave.
• Historical Temperature Records:
  February 2023 was the warmest month in 125 years, with March showing similar anomalies with temperatures deviating up to 3° C above normal.

Impact on Rivers and Environment

• River Drying:
  Major rivers like the Yamuna in Delhi are experiencing low water levels.

Economic and Health Repercussions

• Labor and Economic Impact:
  India could lose around 5.8% of its total labor hours by 2030 due to increased heat and humidity, significantly impacting GDP.
  1. ILO estimates highlight a potential loss of 34 million jobs due to heat stress.
  2. Rising heat could place about 4.5% of GDP at risk.
• Agricultural and Informal Sector Vulnerability:
  Heatwaves in 2022 reduced wheat yields by 15-20% and milk production by 15%, raising concerns over food security and inflation.
• Water Stress:
  Increasing temperatures are causing rivers to shrink and groundwater levels to deplete, intensifying water stress.

Efforts and Challenges in Addressing Heat

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Initiatives:
  The NDMA has collaborated with states to develop Heat Action Plans (HAPs) since 2023.
• Challenges in Heat Action Plans:
  1. Lack of local context in planning.
  2. Insufficient funding and poor targeting of vulnerable groups.
  3. Limited integration with broader climate adaptation strategies.

Conclusion

Addressing heat risks requires comprehensive policy integration, focusing on resilience to protect livelihoods, sustain economic growth, and ensure a healthier future.