Extreme Heat in India

The phenomenon of extreme heat in India has transformed from a seasonal inconvenience into a widespread national crisis. Heatwaves, once limited to arid northwestern and central regions, now affect over 57% of districts, including coastal and temperate areas.

Changing Geography of Heatwaves

India’s heatwave patterns have expanded significantly beyond their traditional zones. Regions that were earlier considered relatively safe, such as coastal belts and temperate zones, are now experiencing frequent and intense heat events.

This shift reflects broader climate change trends, leading to the emergence of a “nationwide thermal canopy” where extreme heat is persistent rather than seasonal.

Socio-Economic Dimensions of Thermal Inequality

Although extreme heat affects all sections of society, its impact is deeply unequal. Wealthier populations can mitigate exposure through air conditioning and better housing, whereas 400–490 million informal workers lack access to cooling mechanisms.

For these workers, survival depends on continuing labour under extreme conditions. Rising temperatures reduce productivity, resulting in income loss and economic vulnerability. thermal exposure is closely linked to class, caste, and occupation, creating “thermal inequality.”

Frontline Realities: Evidence of Harm

Ground-level conditions reveal severe health risks for vulnerable workers. Sanitation workers and waste pickers often operate in heat-amplified environments caused by toxic waste emissions, leading to dangerous micro-climates.

Instances of burns from handling heated waste without protective equipment illustrate the gravity of the situation. This reflects a climate-caste nexus, where marginalised communities face disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards.

Sector-Wise Vulnerabilities

Different categories of workers face unique risks under extreme heat. Gig workers, such as delivery personnel, are subject to algorithm-driven pressure, discouraging rest even during heat alerts. Construction workers face compounded risks due to intense physical labour and heat-retaining materials like steel and concrete.

Street vendors suffer both physically and economically, as reduced footfall and spoilage of goods directly impact their livelihoods.

Legal and Institutional Gaps

India’s current legal framework is inadequate to address extreme heat. The Factories Act, 1948 primarily protects indoor workers, leaving outdoor labourers exposed. Similarly, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 lacks enforceable provisions for heat safety.

Moreover, the exclusion of heatwaves from the Nationally Notified Disaster list limits access to dedicated funds, creating a fiscal and administrative gap in response mechanisms.

Measures to Address Thermal Injustice

To effectively tackle the crisis, a comprehensive and equity-based approach is required. Recognising heatwaves as a national disaster would unlock financial and administrative resources. Adopting the Heat Index, which combines temperature and humidity, can improve risk assessment.

Strengthening labour protections through mandatory work-rest cycles and safety equipment is essential. Recognising a “Right to Cool” can ensure access to public cooling centres and drinking water.

Additionally, gig workers need legal safeguards against penalties during extreme heat, while income compensation mechanisms, including insurance models, can reduce financial distress.

Conclusion

Extreme heat in India is no longer merely an environmental phenomenon; it is a manifestation of deep social and economic inequalities. The concept of thermal injustice highlights how vulnerable populations bear the greatest burden despite having the least capacity to adapt.

A shift from fragmented responses to a comprehensive, rights-based framework is essential. Ensuring thermal safety must become part of the broader social contract, upholding the principles of justice, dignity, and inclusive development.