A new study by the Sustainable Futures Collaborative highlights that some of India’s most heat-vulnerable cities focus mainly on short-term responses to rising heat, while long-term measures remain scarce and poorly implemented.
The study examines heat preparedness in nine major cities—Bengaluru, Delhi, Faridabad, Gwalior, Kota, Ludhiana, Meerut, Mumbai, and Surat—which together account for over 11% of India’s urban population.
While these cities take immediate actions like ensuring drinking water access, adjusting work schedules, and expanding hospital capacity during heat waves, deeper structural changes, such as occupational cooling, wage-loss insurance, and power grid upgrades, are lacking. Tree planting and rooftop solar initiatives often fail to reach the most vulnerable.
The report notes that heat action plans (HAPs), which focus on long-term resilience, suffer from weak implementation. Instead, national and state disaster management agencies drive emergency responses. Urban planning, a critical sector for heat adaptation, has yet to integrate climate concerns effectively.
Challenges such as poor coordination, staff shortages, and limited technical expertise hinder sustained heat adaptation efforts. The authors urge local governments to strengthen HAPs, track progress, and prioritize vulnerable communities.
They recommend using national and state disaster funds for long-term solutions and appointing Chief Heat Officers (CHOs) with real authority and resources. Additionally, India’s 10 most heat-affected cities should train officials to implement heat-related policies effectively. Every high-risk district should have permanent, well-trained disaster management teams to prepare for future heat waves.
