Economy

Published: Apr 24, 2023
Updated: Apr 24, 2023

India's Economy and Development Goals at Risk Due to Killer Heat Waves: Study

Heatwaves - Increasing in intensity and frequency

A recent study has revealed that India's agriculture, economy, and public health are under unprecedented burdens due to killer heat waves. Climate change is also hindering the country's long-term efforts to reduce poverty, inequality, and illness. According to the study conducted by scholars from the University of Cambridge, extreme heat has caused over 24,000 deaths since 1992, driven up air pollution, and accelerated glacial melt in northern India. The country is now facing a collision of multiple and cumulative climate hazards.

90% of India's total area now lies in extreme heat danger zones, and the government's own "climate vulnerability index" is believed to underestimate the impact of longer, earlier, and more frequent heatwaves on development. The adaptation measures being put on paper are substantial, but their implementation needs to be optimized, warned Ramit Debnath, the lead researcher of the study.

Weakening efforts to be taken by India in form of Social Development

Heatwaves are also weakening India's efforts to meet its "Social Development Goals," a list of 17 U.N. objectives to cut poverty, hunger, inequality, and disease. The study warns that extreme heat could ultimately lead to a 15% decline in "outdoor working capacity," reduce the quality of life of up to 480 million people and cost 2.8% of GDP by 2050.

India has recognized heatwaves as part of its disaster relief package and has already taken several measures for heat mitigation. However, the pace of these plans needs optimization to tackle the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. Falling productivity caused by extreme high temperatures could already be costing India 5.4% of its GDP, according to the Climate Transparency Report published by environmental groups last year.

Government needs to take swift measures to protect crops , economy and lives

India needs to take swift action and implement measures effectively to mitigate the effects of heatwaves, which are putting the country's economy and development goals at risk.