A 2024 report by the medical journal Lancet found that almost one-third of the heatwave days India experienced that year were driven by climate change.
It also estimated that heat exposure in 2024 resulted in the loss of 247 billion potential labour hours, mostly in the agriculture and construction sectors. amounting to an economic loss of about $194bn (£151bn).
Experts say prolonged exposure to extreme heat has serious repercussions on health. It can overwhelm the body’s ability to regulate temperature, increasing the risk of dehydration, heatstroke, cardiovascular stress, and even death – particularly among the elderly, infants and outdoor workers.
