Cities Must Prepare for Extreme Heat

Extreme heat is a recurring public risk in many Indian cities. Long spells of high temperature strain the body, reduce the capacity to work, raise the demand for electricity and water, and can cause deaths, some of which may not be recognised as heat-related. Dense neighbourhoods with little vegetation and many paved surfaces trap warmth, so that nights offer little relief. Those who suffer most are people who work outdoors, children, older persons and families living in poorly ventilated housing. Preparing for such conditions is a question of public health, economic productivity and urban planning, and it calls for steady and coordinated action instead of emergency measures announced after the damage is done. Local authorities carry much of the direct responsibility, and sustained preparation depends on adequate funds, staff and data.

Warning Systems and Protection

Early warning is a necessary starting point. Forecasts of high temperature are useful only when they reach people in time and in a form they can act upon. Alerts should be carried through local language broadcasts, community networks, schools and workplaces, with clear advice on hydration, rest and the signs of heat illness. Mobile phone messages sent to residents in affected areas can reach many people quickly, provided that the language and wording are plain. Cities benefit from heat action plans that set out in advance who is responsible for what, which facilities will open, and how hospitals will prepare. Such plans must be reviewed each year and adjusted in light of experience. They should identify the neighbourhoods and groups most at risk, so that outreach is directed where it is needed. Plans without trained staff and funds are unlikely to work when they are needed.

Water, Shade and Rest

Simple physical provisions are an essential part of any response. Free and accessible drinking water, shaded waiting areas at bus stops and public places, and cool shelters for people without proper housing can help reduce heat illness. Outdoor workers, such as construction labourers, delivery staff, street vendors and sanitation crews, face particular danger. Employers and municipal bodies can adjust working hours to avoid the hottest part of the day, arrange rest breaks and keep water available at worksites. Schools can revise timetables and provide children with water and shaded play areas. Such measures are generally modest in cost and can protect both health and productivity. Enforcement need not be heavy-handed; clear guidelines, regular inspection and cooperation with worker groups can secure compliance.

Buildings, Landscape and Energy

Over the longer term, the shape of the city determines how hot it becomes. Trees, parks, water bodies and green roofs cool their surroundings, while large expanses of concrete and dark surfaces absorb and release heat. Building rules can encourage reflective roofing, good ventilation, shaded windows and materials that stay cooler. Housing for low-income families deserves particular attention, since tin roofs and cramped rooms can become dangerously hot. Urban planners should protect existing green spaces, add tree cover along streets and avoid filling in lakes and ponds that help regulate local temperature. Community participation in tree planting and maintenance helps ensure that saplings survive and that benefits are shared. Such steps may also improve air quality and make neighbourhoods more pleasant throughout the year, so their benefits are not confined to the hottest months.

Energy, Cooling and Fairness

Rising temperatures increase the demand for fans and air conditioning, which in turn places pressure on the electricity grid. Utilities need to plan for peak demand and to protect supply to hospitals, water pumps and other essential services. Efficient appliances and passive cooling in buildings can reduce this pressure and lower household bills. Reliable data on neighbourhood temperatures and household energy use would help local bodies target their efforts more precisely. Fairness matters here as well. Wealthier households can buy cooling, while many poorer families cannot afford it, and for them the result can be danger rather than discomfort. Public policy should therefore aim to make basic cooling accessible and affordable, through community cooling spaces, efficient design standards for public housing and tariffs that remain affordable for households. Climate adaptation that benefits only those who can pay would leave the most exposed residents behind.

A Sustained Adaptation Effort

Extreme heat is likely to remain a concern in the coming years, and cities cannot rely on improvisation each summer. They need a sustained programme that combines warning systems, protection for workers, better building and greener neighbourhoods, with funds set aside in regular budgets. Coordination among municipal bodies, State governments, health departments and utilities is essential, since responsibility is spread across several agencies. Public reporting of outcomes, including illness and loss of working days, would help to judge whether measures are succeeding. Learning from cities that have tried measures such as cool roofs and early warning, and adapting them to local conditions, can save both time and money. Reducing the underlying causes of warming remains a wider national and international task, but preparedness cannot wait for it. Cities that plan early and share lessons are likely to protect their residents better and to be more productive and liveable places.