Heatwave plays havoc, exposes Telangana's fragile health and social systems

The Hindu

28-04-2025

As Telangana reels under a punishing summer, the heat is doing more than just scorching the earth — it is straining bodies, infrastructure and the economy to a breaking point. Sunstroke may be the most immediate and visible danger, but a deeper and more alarming crisis is quietly unfolding across the State.
The Telangana Heatwave Action Plan 2025, unveiled by Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) Arvind Kumar, warns of rising cases of heat-related illnesses, worsening of chronic diseases and an overwhelming burden on emergency services. As the mercury shows no signs of mercy, the State is racing to shield its people from a growing, and increasingly deadly, threat.
In 2024 alone, Telangana reported 10 deaths linked to heatwave conditions, but the toll of extreme heat stretches far beyond fatalities. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures is accelerating cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, pushing hospitals and healthcare systems to their limits. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, infants, pregnant women and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, are at highest risk, the report suggests.
The State's healthcare infrastructure is stretched thin, with a sharp rise in emergency admissions and an urgent demand for critical supplies such as ORS packets, IV fluids and essential medicines. To address the mounting crisis, the Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department has issued directives to improve early detection and treatment, with a special focus on training medical staff in semi-urban and rural health centres where access to care remains limited.
'Dedicated beds for heatstroke patients are being set aside, and mobile health units are being deployed in vulnerable areas. Outreach clinics are also being activated to target high-risk mandals, ensuring that even remote communities receive timely medical support,' the report states.
Vulnerability across State
According to the 'State's vulnerability analysis' mentioned in the report, six mandals are categorised as severely affected, with another 106 mandals in critical conditions. Among the districts at the highest risk are Adilabad, Nirmal, Jagtial, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad and Warangal. From 2014 to 2023, these areas experienced between 21 and 40 days of heatwaves per year.
Further, over 31,000 Anganwadi centres, including 4,000 mini centres, are directly affected by heat, leading to a disruption in essential nutrition services. For vulnerable communities, especially in rural areas, the absence of cooked meals, infant care, and hydration support is a significant health risk. The exposure of women working in outdoor kitchens, often in the direct heat, exacerbates their vulnerability, increasing the likelihood of heat-related illnesses, the report notes.
Economic and social fallout
The economic repercussions of heatwaves extend far beyond health concerns. Heatwaves have a direct impact on agriculture, outdoor labour, and the broader economy. With temperatures soaring, the number of hours outdoor workers can safely work diminishes, leading to reduced productivity and economic output.
In rural Telangana, heatwaves increase the likelihood of school dropouts as children are forced to work in the fields or help at home during the summer. With less access to cooling and fewer educational opportunities, the cycle of poverty deepens, further marginalising communities that are already vulnerable.