Chandigarh: Extreme heatwave days in northern India have quadrupled over the last decade, according to meteorological data, prompting urgent calls from public health experts to address the hidden, deadly surge of indoor heat exposure.
Rising Threat of Heatwaves
Speaking at a joint World Heat Action Day and Environment Day forum at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), India Meteorological Department’s Chandigarh director Surender Paul revealed the shifting scale of the climate threat. In response to the accelerating risks, Paul said the meteorological department is expanding its early warning systems, utilising the SACHET and MAUSAM mobile applications to broadcast real-time risk mitigation data directly to the public.
Indoor Heat Exposure Risks
While heatwaves are traditionally viewed as an outdoor hazard, PGIMER public health specialist Professor Ravindra Khaiwal warned that indoor environments often trap dangerous levels of heat for prolonged periods. “Indoor conditions can stay dangerously hot, creating significant health risks,” Khaiwal said. “Heatwave mortality is significantly high among vulnerable groups, and we must focus on providing proper social and infrastructure support.”
Health Impacts and Symptoms
The physiological toll of these rising temperatures can escalate with deceptive speed. Dr Ashish Behera, from PGIMER’s internal medicine department, said: “Heat-related illnesses often begin with vague, easily overlooked symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and muscle cramps.” Without intervention, these symptoms rapidly deteriorate into severe dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or acute organ failure. “Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion during extreme heat events,” Behera said. “Prioritizing rapid cooling, aggressive fluid replacement, and early intervention is critical to preventing fatal outcomes.”
Call for Localized Data and Action
PGIMER’s community medicine department head, Professor Arun Kumar Aggarwal, emphasised that combatting the crisis requires health systems to generate localized data and scale it into actionable models. To future-proof communities against rapid urban growth and architectural heat traps, the expert panel advocated for a coordinated strategy combining infrastructure upgrades and cross-sector policy.
Long-term Protection Strategies
Dr Bijaya K Padhi concluded that long-term protection for at-risk populations relied on sustained community engagement and multi-sectoral collaboration to mitigate both indoor and outdoor exposure. The experts urged governments and health agencies to prioritize heat action plans that include vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing conditions.
This report highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat the escalating heatwave crisis, focusing on both outdoor and indoor environments to safeguard public health.
