How climate change is worsening physical and mental stress in rural India
As the world turns its attention to carbon emissions and global temperature rise, a quieter yet devastating health crisis is unfolding in rural India, one that is deeply intertwined with climate change but rarely acknowledged.From heat-induced strokes and kidney failures to growing mental distress, experts warn that the human cost of extreme weather, especially on women, is rising sharply."In the heart of rural India, the escalating heat is more than a discomfort, it's a silent crisis that is reshaping the health and well-being of entire families,' said Neeraja Kudrimoti, Lead, Climate Action at Transform Rural India, a development design organisation.advertisement
RISING TEMPERATURES, RISING HEALTH RISKSIndia experienced its hottest February in over a century in 2023, and this year's summer has already seen heatwave warnings in multiple states.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), several districts faced temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius in May alone.With each passing summer, doctors are seeing a surge in strokes, particularly among outdoor workers.
From heat-induced strokes and kidney failures to growing mental distress, experts warn that the human cost of extreme weather is rising sharply. (Photo: PTI)
"Recurring heatwaves are triggering strokes even at young ages. In deep rural pockets, climate change is a felt reality, impacting livelihoods, bodies and minds," said Shyamal Santra, Associate Director, Health & Nutrition at Transform Rural India.advertisementWomen are especially vulnerable. Kudrimoti explained how rural women, often involved in outdoor agricultural labour and caregiving at home, suffer disproportionately."The gendered impacts of heat stress are profound. Women often sacrifice their health and psycho-social well-being for the sake of their families," she said.The added burden of fetching water, collecting firewood, and caring for the elderly under scorching conditions takes a heavy toll.A 2024 report from the International Labor Organization (ILO) revealed that 2.41 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat worldwide, of whom nearly 19,000 succumb annually.The health impacts of this exposure are many from heat stroke and exhaustion to heat rashes and physical injury to cardiovascular and kidney disease.KIDNEY FAILURE AND WATER CRISISAccess to clean water is worsening. As water sources dry up or become saline, rural families are forced to rely on contaminated supplies."Chronic dehydration and high fluoride intake from poor water sources are contributing to rising cases of kidney failure," Santra said.These issues are particularly alarming in drought-prone and flood-affected areas where water quality is a persistent challenge.
As water sources dry up or become saline, rural families are forced to rely on contaminated supplies. ()
A recent study published in The Journal of Climate Change and Health, revealed that while climate change response efforts in cities are urgent, they often overshadow the "climate-sensitive health challenges in India's rural regions where residents endure severe heat and air pollution but have far fewer resources to adapt."MENTAL DISTRESS: THE SILENT SUFFERINGThe crisis doesn't end with physical health. Erratic weather and frequent crop failures are creating economic hardships, leading to climate-induced migration.Men often move to cities in search of work, leaving women behind to bear the emotional and financial burdens alone. "This deepens anxiety, isolation and mental stress. It impacts the overall well-being of rural communities," said Santra.Kudrimoti shared a striking observation from the field: "As a didi once said, cranky kids and unrealistic expectations from the woman in the house are a recipe for crisis – 'job not done, care half given'."'COOLING MUST BECOME A RIGHT'Most rural homes lack access to fans, let alone air-conditioning. The concept of cooling as a public health necessity is still absent in policy discussions.advertisement"It is time to recognise cooling as a fundamental right, a 'right to cool', essential for health, dignity, and gender equity," Kudrimoti stressed the urgency.She suggested solutions like community cooling spaces, climate-resilient housing, widespread tree planting, and decentralised cooling technologies powered by renewable energy."We must centre women's voices in climate adaptation strategies to lift this hidden toll of heat," she added.Santra said that beyond carbon, climate action is about people, strengthening local ecosystems, supporting women's collectives, and rooting solutions in dignity and care.As India faces more frequent and intense heatwaves, it's important to recognise how climate change is affecting people, especially women, so that better solutions are made for everyone.Trending Reel
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Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
How extreme heat is affecting India
Around 76% of India's population is currently at high to very high risk from extreme heat, according to a new study. People living in Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh face the highest risk from heat in the country, the analysis suggests. The study, 'How Extreme Heat is Impacting India: Assessing District-level Heat Risk', was published on May 20. It was carried out by Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) researchers: Shravan Prabhu, Keerthana Anthikat Suresh, Srishti Mandal, Divyanshu Sharma, and Vishwas Chitale. For their analysis, the researchers developed a heat risk index (HRI), which assessed heat risk across 734 districts in India. The index is based on 35 indicators, including an increase in frequency of very hot days, population density, percentage of persons with disability, and change in land use and land cover. Understanding heat risk Contrary to common perception, heat risk is quite different from heat waves and heat stress. While heatwaves — they do not have any universal definition — usually refer to prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures in a specific region, heat stress is when the body temperature exceeds 37 degrees Celsius in humans and animals. At this temperature, the body is not able to effectively remove excess heat, which can lead to discomfort, heat cramps, and exhaustion. If the body temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius, a heat stroke can occur. Heat risk, on the other hand, is essentially the probability of experiencing heat-related illnesses or death due to exposure to extreme temperatures. It depends on three crucial factors: 'the intensity of the heat (and its compounding effects such as humidity); the degree of exposure; and the underlying vulnerabilities of affected communities,' according to the CEEW study. Factors driving heat risk RISE IN NUMBER OF VERY WARM NIGHTS: In the years between 2012 and 2022, the number of very warm nights has increased faster than very warm days, the study found. More than 70% of districts witnessed five or more additional very warm nights per summer (March to June) during this period. 'These nights and days are defined as periods when minimum and maximum temperatures rise above… what was normal for 95% of the time in the past,' it said. This is concerning because higher temperatures during the night make it difficult for the body to cool down after intense daytime heat, which can lead to a rise in health risks such as heat strokes and worsening of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension. INCREASE IN RELATIVE HUMIDITY IN NORTH INDIA: The study found out that between 2012 and 2022 the relative humidity — the amount of water that is present in the air compared to the greatest amount it would be possible for the air to hold at that temperature — has significantly increased in North India, particularly in Indo-Gangetic Plain. While North India used to have around 30–40% relative humidity during the baseline period between 1982 and 2011, it increased to 40-50% between 2012 and 2022. Higher relative humidity is an issue as it exacerbates heat stress on the human body, especially during the peak summer months. This happens because high relative humidity makes it harder for the body to cool down through sweat after the body temperature crosses 37 degrees Celsius. 'This can increase the occurrence of several heat-related illnesses at a faster rate,' the CEEW study said. HIGH POPULATION DENSITY & INCREASE IN URBANISATION: Apart from very warm nights, very warm days, and relative humidity, several other factors also influence heat risk. For instance, the study found that districts with high population density such as Mumbai and Delhi face the highest exposure to extreme heat. Districts, especially tier II and III cities such as Pune, Thoothukudi and Gurugram, which have seen rapid urbanisation in recent years have witnessed hotter nights. That is because of the emergence of concrete infrastructure which absorbs a lot of heat during the day and releases it during the night. Districts in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh are highly vulnerable to extreme heat. This is due to the combined impact of high temperatures and socio-economic and health vulnerabilities such as more elderly people and a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, according to the study. The significance The year 2024 was the warmest year on record for the world, including India. While the global average annual mean temperature during the year was more than 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels (1850-1900 period), the temperature over India in 2024 was about 1.2 degrees Celsius higher than the 1901-1910 average. Although the temperature rise in India is lower than the increase over the world, the country is already witnessing adverse effects of global warming. For instance, in 2024, India saw its longest recorded heatwave since 2010. There were more than 44,000 cases of heatstroke in the country last year. The situation has been worsened as India's heat action plans (HAPs) — early warning systems and preparedness plans for extreme heat events — remain lacking in some ways. For instance, most of the HAPs put forth by multiple Indian cities lack long-term strategies to tackle the growing threat of extreme heat in the country, according to a study, published in March this year, by the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), a New Delhi-based research organisation. The analysis also said that the cities having such strategies did not implement them effectively. Such gaps in planning could result in a higher number of heat-related deaths due to more frequent, intense, and prolonged heatwaves in the following years, according to the study.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Maha sees sharp drop in heatstroke cases this year
Maharashtra has recorded a significant drop in heatstroke cases this year, with only 124 cases reported thus far as compared to 347 cases during the corresponding period last year. Furthermore, not a single heatstroke-related fatality has been reported this year although three suspected deaths linked to heat-related illnesses were reported, officials said. This, despite 2025 being one of the hottest years with several parts of the state reporting temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius which placed immense stress on healthcare systems and communities. In 2024, three suspected heatstroke deaths and one confirmed heatstroke death were reported in Bhandara district. Whereas in 2023, a record 3,191 heatstroke cases including 16 suspected heatstroke deaths and 14 confirmed heatstroke deaths were reported across the state. State health officials said that the decline in numbers this year is due to increased public awareness, timely health advisories, and better preparedness to combat extreme heat conditions. Dr Kailas Baviskar, deputy director of health services, said, 'Regular updates through media, early warning systems, and distribution of guidelines to district administrations helped reduce the impact of the heatwave this year.' Dr Baviskar further said that in addition to public awareness campaigns, the government had set up cold rooms in hospitals; ensured availability of drinking water at key locations; and instructed field-level health workers to monitor vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and outdoor workers. 'Citizens have also become more cautious, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours and staying hydrated,' he said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra has recorded the maximum number of heatstroke cases this year including 20 in Yavatmal district, followed by 16 in Buldhana, 10 in Kolhapur, and nine in Palghar. Pune district reported only one case of heatstroke. Whereas all three suspected heatstroke deaths were reported in Nagpur district, officials said. Heatstroke is a serious heat-related emergency that occurs when the body is unable to control its internal temperature due to exposure to heat. A patient is diagnosed to have suffered a heatstroke if he/she has an elevated body temperature equal to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and has an altered mental status including disorientation, delirium and seizure. While the number of heatstroke cases has fallen this year, health experts have warned about climate change continuing to pose long-term challenges, stressing on the need for continued vigilance and proactive planning in the coming years.
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
How climate change is worsening physical and mental stress in rural India
As the world turns its attention to carbon emissions and global temperature rise, a quieter yet devastating health crisis is unfolding in rural India, one that is deeply intertwined with climate change but rarely heat-induced strokes and kidney failures to growing mental distress, experts warn that the human cost of extreme weather, especially on women, is rising sharply."In the heart of rural India, the escalating heat is more than a discomfort, it's a silent crisis that is reshaping the health and well-being of entire families,' said Neeraja Kudrimoti, Lead, Climate Action at Transform Rural India, a development design RISING TEMPERATURES, RISING HEALTH RISKSIndia experienced its hottest February in over a century in 2023, and this year's summer has already seen heatwave warnings in multiple to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), several districts faced temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius in May each passing summer, doctors are seeing a surge in strokes, particularly among outdoor workers. From heat-induced strokes and kidney failures to growing mental distress, experts warn that the human cost of extreme weather is rising sharply. (Photo: PTI) "Recurring heatwaves are triggering strokes even at young ages. In deep rural pockets, climate change is a felt reality, impacting livelihoods, bodies and minds," said Shyamal Santra, Associate Director, Health & Nutrition at Transform Rural are especially vulnerable. Kudrimoti explained how rural women, often involved in outdoor agricultural labour and caregiving at home, suffer disproportionately."The gendered impacts of heat stress are profound. Women often sacrifice their health and psycho-social well-being for the sake of their families," she added burden of fetching water, collecting firewood, and caring for the elderly under scorching conditions takes a heavy toll.A 2024 report from the International Labor Organization (ILO) revealed that 2.41 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat worldwide, of whom nearly 19,000 succumb health impacts of this exposure are many from heat stroke and exhaustion to heat rashes and physical injury to cardiovascular and kidney FAILURE AND WATER CRISISAccess to clean water is worsening. As water sources dry up or become saline, rural families are forced to rely on contaminated supplies."Chronic dehydration and high fluoride intake from poor water sources are contributing to rising cases of kidney failure," Santra issues are particularly alarming in drought-prone and flood-affected areas where water quality is a persistent challenge. As water sources dry up or become saline, rural families are forced to rely on contaminated supplies. () A recent study published in The Journal of Climate Change and Health, revealed that while climate change response efforts in cities are urgent, they often overshadow the "climate-sensitive health challenges in India's rural regions where residents endure severe heat and air pollution but have far fewer resources to adapt."MENTAL DISTRESS: THE SILENT SUFFERINGThe crisis doesn't end with physical health. Erratic weather and frequent crop failures are creating economic hardships, leading to climate-induced often move to cities in search of work, leaving women behind to bear the emotional and financial burdens alone. "This deepens anxiety, isolation and mental stress. It impacts the overall well-being of rural communities," said shared a striking observation from the field: "As a didi once said, cranky kids and unrealistic expectations from the woman in the house are a recipe for crisis – 'job not done, care half given'."'COOLING MUST BECOME A RIGHT'Most rural homes lack access to fans, let alone air-conditioning. The concept of cooling as a public health necessity is still absent in policy is time to recognise cooling as a fundamental right, a 'right to cool', essential for health, dignity, and gender equity," Kudrimoti stressed the suggested solutions like community cooling spaces, climate-resilient housing, widespread tree planting, and decentralised cooling technologies powered by renewable energy."We must centre women's voices in climate adaptation strategies to lift this hidden toll of heat," she said that beyond carbon, climate action is about people, strengthening local ecosystems, supporting women's collectives, and rooting solutions in dignity and India faces more frequent and intense heatwaves, it's important to recognise how climate change is affecting people, especially women, so that better solutions are made for Reel
