As summer sets in, India braces for yet another season of extreme heat. Forecasts indicate that this year will bring more intense heat waves, with several states expected to experience a significant rise in the number of scorching days. The implications are dire, not just for public health but for the country’s economy, agriculture, and overall well-being. Yet, despite repeated warnings from meteorologists and climate experts, India remains dangerously underprepared to deal with the consequences of rising temperatures. Year after year, the data paints a grim picture. Hundreds of lives are lost to heat-related illnesses, and independent reports suggest that the actual toll may be much higher than official estimates. Vulnerable populations, including daily wage labourers, farmers, and the urban poor, bear the brunt of this crisis. With water shortages compounding the problem, the heat threatens food security and livelihoods, creating a vicious cycle that policymakers have yet to adequately address.

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