Thousands of Deaths Tied to Record-High Temperatures in Recent Study

In a groundbreaking study published in Temperature, researchers from O.P. Jindal Global University in Sonipat have shed light on the alarming impact of climate change on human health in India, particularly focusing on heatstroke and cold exposure.

The study, which covered temperature-related mortality in India from 2001-2019, revealed that over 34,000 deaths were linked to extreme heat and cold during this period. The deadliest single year was 2015, when heatstroke killed 1,907 people and extreme cold exposure claimed 1,147.

The researchers emphasize the importance of taking extreme weather seriously, as it poses fatal threats, especially in areas that lack the infrastructure and safety nets to keep vulnerable groups safe. Certain states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab have emerged as hotspots for temperature-related mortality.

Men in India are 3-5 times more likely to die from heatstroke and 4-7 times more likely to die from cold exposure compared to women, with working-age adults (45-60 years old) being the most affected. Outdoor workers, including construction workers, auto rickshaw drivers, and gig economy workers, are at a higher risk and should be provided with adequate relief measures during heatwaves.

The authors of the study suggest that the reported figures may be underestimated. To improve heatstroke and cold exposure prevention for outdoor workers in these states, a multi-pronged approach focused on awareness, infrastructure, policy, and community involvement is needed.

Key measures include implementing and enforcing regular cooling breaks and shaded rest periods, establishing accessible cooling shelters and hydration points, deploying clear, multilingual heat and cold weather alert systems, providing training and education modules on heatstroke recognition, first aid, and cold exposure risks, ensuring access to clean drinking water and sun-protective gear, adjusting work schedules to avoid the hottest hours of the day, integrating outdoor worker concerns into broader state heat/cold action plans and urban policies, leveraging community participation and grassroots organizations, developing emergency response protocols and app-based safety features, and more.

In similar contexts, efforts like those in Delhi and collaboration with meteorological departments, unions, and NGOs have improved weather warnings' reach and effectiveness through low-cost, locally adapted solutions. UAE police measures like providing cold drinks, umbrellas, and a midday work ban during extreme heat may offer a model for policy measures protecting outdoor workers in India.

Success requires a coordinated implementation roadmap involving local governments, labor unions, community groups, and employers, focusing on worker health, accessible infrastructure, awareness, and enforceable regulations tailored to local climate and labor conditions in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. The researchers hope that their findings will lead to further collaborations to understand the global and national impacts of climate change on human health.

[1] Ahmed, S., & Kandpal, S. (2020). Heatwaves and health in India: A review of the literature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15), 5493.

[2] Government of India. (2017). National Disaster Management Plan. Retrieved from https://ndmp.gov.in/

[3] World Health Organization. (2016). WHO Heatwave Guidance for Member States. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-heatwave-guidance-for-member-states

[4] United Arab Emirates Ministry of Interior. (2018). Labour Law. Retrieved from https://www.moi.gov.ae/en/services/services-for-employers/labour-law

[5] World Resources Institute. (2019). Urban Heat Action Plans: A Guide for Building Resilience to Extreme Heat in Cities. Retrieved from https://www.wri.org/publication/urban-heat-action-plans-guide-building-resilience-extreme-heat-cities

The research highlights the importance of addressing climate change in the context of human health, particularly in India, where heatstroke and cold exposure are significant concerns.
The study's findings suggest that climate change contributes to over 34,000 temperature-related deaths in India from 2001-2019.
The deadliest year for heatstroke-related deaths was 2015, with 1,907 fatalities, while extreme cold exposure claimed 1,147 lives in the same year.
Vulnerable groups, including outdoor workers like construction workers and auto rickshaw drivers, are at a higher risk during extreme weather conditions.
Men are more susceptible to both heatstroke and cold exposure, with working-age adults being the most affected demographic.
The study suggests that the reported figures may underestimate the actual number of temperature-related deaths due to inadequate data collection and reporting.
To mitigate heatstroke and cold exposure risks, a comprehensive approach is necessary, incorporating awareness, infrastructure, policy, and community involvement.
Key measures include implementing cooling breaks, establishing cooling shelters and hydration points, deploying heat and cold weather alert systems, providing training on first aid and heatstroke recognition, and ensuring access to essential resources like clean drinking water and sun-protective gear.
The authors recommend adjusting work schedules to minimize exposure during the hottest hours, integrating worker concerns into state heat/cold action plans and urban policies, leveraging community participation, and developing emergency response protocols.
Delivery of effective weather warnings through collaborations with meteorological departments, unions, and NGOs has proven successful in certain regions, as demonstrated by initiatives in Delhi and the UAE.
Success in improving outdoor worker safety during extreme weather requires a coordinated effort involving local governments, labor unions, community groups, and employers.
The researchers emphasize the need for regulations tailored to local climate and labor conditions in states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab.
By focusing on worker health, accessible infrastructure, awareness, and enforceable regulations, it is hoped that further collaborations will lead to a better understanding of the global and national impacts of climate change on human health.
The World Health Organization, National Disaster Management Plan of India, and the Labour Law of the United Arab Emirates may provide useful resources for policy development.
Urban Heat Action Plans, as proposed by the World Resources Institute, could also serve as a valuable guide for building resilience to extreme heat in Indian cities.