As India confronts intensifying heatwaves, the absence of a cohesive national strategy becomes increasingly evident.
The first nationwide heatwave alert of 2025 was issued as early as April 8, with temperatures surpassing historical norms across various regions. Despite the mounting fatalities, productivity losses, and public health challenges, the Union government’s response remains fragmented, treating heatwaves as seasonal nuisances rather than pressing climate emergencies. The United Nations has identified extreme heat as the deadliest of all climate hazards. In India, where 90% of the workforce operates informally, healthcare systems are uneven, and urban heat islands are expanding, the threat is particularly acute. While some states have initiated heat action plans, the lack of a centralized national policy results in a patchwork of responses, leaving vulnerable populations—such as daily-wage laborers, the elderly, and children—exposed to extreme temperatures.
Tamil Nadu stands out as a proactive example. The state has implemented systemic measures, including increasing urban green cover, promoting cool roofs in government buildings and low-income housing, and ensuring district administrations have adaptable guidelines to address heat stress. Schools adjust timings to avoid peak heat, hospitals are equipped for heatstroke emergencies, and public awareness campaigns are launched ahead of the summer season. In contrast, the Union government’s approach has been limited to issuing advisories without concrete guidelines, resources, or measurable indicators. A single advisory in March 2025 merely asked states to “prepare,” lacking the necessary support for effective implementation.
The economic implications are significant. A study by the Global Heat Health Information Network links prolonged heat exposure to an 8-10% reduction in outdoor labor output, particularly in construction and agriculture sectors. Yet, there is no national framework to compensate for wage losses due to extreme heat or to provide safety nets for workers unable to perform their duties under hazardous conditions. Internationally, countries like France and the United States have established comprehensive heatwave plans, incorporating tiered alerts, welfare checks, and mandated cooling zones. These models emphasize the importance of national leadership and coordination—elements currently lacking in India’s approach.
A national heatwave policy in India should mandate states to develop and regularly update heat action plans, backed by central funding and a national heat surveillance system. It must extend beyond urban centers to include rural and peri-urban areas, ensuring protection for informal workers and integrating cooling measures into housing, transport, and employment policies. Heat resilience is also a matter of social justice. Vulnerable groups, including slum dwellers, gig workers, women, and the elderly, suffer disproportionately during heatwaves. Tamil Nadu addresses these disparities through targeted welfare schemes and smart urban planning. However, without support from the Union government, such isolated successes have limited impact.
The Union government must take ownership of the climate mandate by developing an enforceable policy under the Disaster Management Act, funding heat-resilient infrastructure through schemes like Smart Cities and AMRUT, and ensuring climate justice is a national priority. Tamil Nadu has demonstrated that with foresight and planning, the impacts of heatwaves can be mitigated. It is imperative for the Union to follow suit and implement a structured, urgent response to this escalating crisis.
India Escalating Heatwaves Highlight Urgent Need for National Policy
