Introduction
In May and June 2024, India endured an exceptionally severe heat wave. Cities like Bhuj, Churu, and Delhi suburbs recorded temperatures soaring past 50°C (122°F). Churu in Rajasthan reached a peak of 50.5°C, among the highest in eight years. The impact was devastating—over 219 people lost their lives, and more than 40,000 hospitalisations were reported due to heat-related illnesses. This event triggered nationwide concern about climate change, public health preparedness, and the effectiveness of early warning systems.
Scorching Heat and Its Consequences
North‑western and eastern India experienced prolonged spells of extreme heat. Night-time temperatures became notably sticky, especially in Delhi’s Mungeshpur and Narela areas, which recorded a humid minimum temperature of 35.2°C—one of the warmest nights ever recorded. Hospitals were overwhelmed with heatstroke patients; emergency departments became zones of urgency and exhaustion.
The monsoon, which typically offers relief by June, was delayed by a spell of unusually warm winds and fewer pre-monsoon showers. The result: an extended period of perilous heat, stretching citizens’ resilience.
Who Was Most Affected?
The human toll was severe. Over 219 deaths were confirmed across India, with 147 in Odisha alone and another 12 in Rajasthan. Workers and election duty personnel, caught outdoors during peak hours, were among the most vulnerable. Over 25,000 others suffered from heatstroke, demonstrating vulnerability across both urban and rural communities.
Medicinal resources were strained; ambulance services and hydration centers worked around the clock to prevent further damage.
Government Response and Warnings
Forecasting agencies like the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued early warnings and “red alerts” for multiple states. Yet, critics say local authorities were slow to distribute free drinking water, open cooling centers, or enforce work-hour guidelines for labourers. Public messaging focused on hydration, shaded rest stops, and reducing outdoor activity—but the damage had already begun.
The event highlighted gaps in urban planning, especially in cities unprepared for escalated climate extremes.
Broader Significance: Climate and Infrastructure Lessons
This heat wave served as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate adaptation and public health safeguards. Urban heat islands—cities without green cover or cooling infrastructure—became death traps for many.
Experts have linked extreme events like this to global warming and stressed better preparedness: shaded public spaces, heat-resistant community planning, air-conditioned transit shelters, and public health drills.
As monsoons slowly began to arrive, relief was welcomed—but the summer had left its mark. India’s summer of 2024 tells a larger story about how warming weather demands smarter cities, better alerts, and faster emergency response.