From April 2024 to June 2024,[1][2] a severe and long heat wave affected India.[3] The heat wave occurred during the Indian summer or pre-monsoon, which typically lasts from March to June, with peak temperatures in April and May. The year marked the third consecutive year of extreme heat waves in the country, a trend partly attributed to climate change.[1][2]
Churu district in Rajasthan recorded a temperature of Template:Cvt, the highest in India in eight years.[4] A temperature of 52.9 °C was recorded in Mungeshpur, Delhi, and was initially thought to be record-breaking. However, it was later found to be approximately 3 °C too high due to a faulty sensor.[5][6]
Casualties
As of 3 June 2024, there were a total of 219 deaths reported from the heat wave,[7] and 25,000 others suffered from heatstroke.[8] The deaths include 33 workers who were stationed on election duty during the seventh and last phase of the 2024 Indian general elections.[9] There were 147 reported deaths in the state of Odisha, and 12 more in Rajasthan.[7]
In Rajasthan, temperatures reached Template:Cvt in Churu, Sirsa and Phalodi, while Delhi's Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh also neared 50 °C on 28 May.[10][11] There were more than twice as many heatwave days recorded in northwestern and eastern parts of the country than usual, mainly due to fewer non-monsoon thundershowers and warm winds blowing from neighbouring arid regions into India.[8] IMD data showed that Delhi recorded its warmest night ever at a minimum temperature of 35.2 °C (95.36 °F).[12]
Indian authorities reported over 40,000 cases of heatstroke through the country during the heat wave.[13]
Impact
Due to the intense heat increasing water consumption and lowering river levels, New Delhi suffered a water crisis, requiring water tankers to be driven into distribution points in order to provide hydration to citizens whose taps ran dry.[14]
The intense, prolonged increase in temperature caused many manufacturing companies to lower working hours during the month of May, contributing to a national three-month low in the rate of increase in new orders.[15] Due to increased usage of electricity for cooling, the All India Power Engineers Federation warned of potential blackouts and loss of power on 18 June 2024.[16]
Measures and preparedness actions
The NDMA and IMD are rolling out Heat Action Plans in 23 states, including early‑warning systems, district vulnerability maps and special guidance for outdoor workers.[17] The central health ministry has asked states to improve monitoring of heat‑related illnesses, strengthen reporting via the IHIP and train health‑care workers in diagnosing and treating heat‑illness.[18] Authorities introduced “heat‑stroke rooms” in hospitals for rapid‑cooling treatment and organised a whole‑of‑government approach to emergency cooling, but the scale of actual implementation remains uncertain.[19] In New Delhi, the 2025 Heat Action Plan includes installing about 3,000 water‑coolers across the city, shaded footpaths, “cool” roofs and special heat‑wave wards in hospitals.[20] Some states are using the State Disaster Mitigation Fund to build cooling shelters, upgrade infrastructure and set up early‑warning systems for heat.[21] During peak heat, some states also reduced outdoor working hours and set up rehydration stations in markets and public areas.[22]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 India reels under a third straight year of severe heatwaves. Nature India({Template:Date).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The climate drivers behind southwest India's intensifying heat waves, Shankar, Priyanka. Mongabay-India(2024-09-03). Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ↑ In pictures: India records 'longest' heatwave, Delhi faces water crisis, Jacob, Charmaine. CNBC(2024-06-14). Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ↑ Rajasthan’s Churu records 50.5 degree celsius, becomes hottest city in India. Financialexpress(2024-05-28). Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ↑ Delhi's record 52.9C temperature reading was wrong by three degrees, India says, Kaushik, Krishn. Reuters(June 2, 2024). Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ↑ Delhi weather station that recorded 52.9°C had '3°C sensor error': Union Minister. India Today(2024-06-01). Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 8 more Odisha, Rajasthan deaths push heatstroke toll to 219. Times of India(3 June 2024). Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Indian heatwave kills dozens over summer, media says nearly 25,000 fall ill(3 June 2024). Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ↑ India’s deadly heat kills over 200 people, including dozens of poll workers as elections wrap up. The Independent(3 June 2024). Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ↑ Delhi records highest-ever temperature of 52.9 Celsius, IMD issues red alert for Wednesday, Mufti, Ifrah. The New Indian Express(2024-05-29). Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ↑ Heatwave alert: These Indian cities surpass 50 degrees Celsius in 2024. The Times of India(2024-05-30). Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ↑ Rise in night temperatures amid relentless heatwave leaves India sleepless, Stuti Mishra. The Independent(2024-06-21). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ↑ India reports over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases over summer. Reuters(19 June 2024). Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ↑ At least 50 deaths blamed on India heat wave in just a week as record temperatures scorch the country - CBS News, Zargar, Arshad R.. www.cbsnews.com(2024-06-03). Retrieved 2024-06-03.
- ↑ Heatwave and poll effects drag factory output, new orders to 3-month low in May. The Hindu(2024-06-03). Retrieved 2024-06-03.
- ↑ Indian engineers warn of prolonged blackouts amid searing heatwave. The Guardian(18 June 2024). Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ↑ Unstarred Question No. 359: Deaths due to heat waves. Ministry of Earth Sciences(Nov 28, 2024).
- ↑ Health ministry urges states to strengthen action plans against heat-related illnesses. Financial Express(March 27, 2025).
- ↑ Facing Record Number of Heatwave-Related Deaths – India Takes Closer Look at Prevention with Public Health Measures. Health Policy Watch(June 12, 2024).
- ↑ What Delhi govt’s 2025 Heat Action Plan promises & what it misses. The Print(April 24, 2025).
- ↑ How Extreme Heat is Impacting India. Council on Energy, Environment and Water(May 20, 2025).
- ↑ Beating the heat? India’s fight against heatwaves is on but without a long-term plan. The Economic Times(June 12, 2025).