New Delhi, April 1: Rising global temperatures could expose nearly 41% of the world’s population to extreme heat by 2050, up from about 23% around 2010, according to a study by the University of Oxford published in the journal Nature Sustainability. The findings were cited in Parliament on Wednesday as the Government outlined measures being taken in India to adapt to increasing heat risks.
Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences and Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said that around 3.79 billion people worldwide could face extreme heat conditions by mid-century, particularly across South Asia, Africa and parts of Southeast Asia. The increase is linked to global warming driven by continued greenhouse gas emissions, with impacts expected to intensify as global temperatures approach or exceed 1.5°C to 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
The minister said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) plays a key role in climate adaptation by issuing early warnings of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, and disseminating timely forecasts and advisories to reduce risks.
Heat Action Plans and Early Warning Systems
The government, through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), is working with 23 states to implement Heat Action Plans (HAPs). These include early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, public health responses and the establishment of cooling centres.
IMD also issues special heatwave warning bulletins and impact-based forecasts with guidance on heat-resilient urban planning measures such as cool roofs, urban forests, water bodies and reflective infrastructure. These advisories are shared with multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, state disaster management authorities, district administrations, health departments, Indian Railways, road transport agencies and the media.
Since 2023, IMD has started issuing seasonal and monthly heatwave outlooks to enable authorities to take proactive measures to reduce heat-related risks. Forecasts and heatwave information are communicated through online and offline platforms, including state websites that provide district-specific updates and sector-focused bulletins for health and agriculture.
Climate Monitoring and Research
The ministry said it continuously monitors weather and climate conditions across the country. Information on extreme temperatures, heatwaves and cold waves is compiled in monthly and annual climate summaries and diagnostic bulletins that assess temperature and rainfall anomalies as well as large-scale climate drivers such as ENSO and the Indian Ocean Dipole.
IMD has also conducted climatological analyses of heatwave and cold wave characteristics and assessed rainfall pattern changes and extremes across states and districts over the past three decades.
Net-Zero Efforts and Global Climate Action
The government highlighted several initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emissions, including expansion of renewable energy, development of green energy corridors, promotion of cleaner manufacturing and energy efficiency, and deployment of battery storage systems.
India’s climate policy framework is guided by the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC), which cover missions related to solar energy, energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, health, preservation of the Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitats and the Green India mission.
India is also participating in global climate efforts through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
The minister also referred to the comprehensive assessment of climate science by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), whose Sixth Assessment Report released between 2021 and 2023 details the physical science basis of climate change, its impacts, adaptation strategies and mitigation pathways.
