India Swelters Under Extreme Heatwave

India is experiencing an unprecedented summer, with temperatures consistently exceeding 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) across the country in May 2026. This extreme heat has led to fatalities among census workers and voters, with Akola in Maharashtra recording the highest temperature at 46.9C on April 26. The United Nations has expressed concern that these heatwaves are pushing food supply to the brink due to farmers' inability to work, livestock stress, and crop failures.

The prolonged heat is causing significant health issues beyond heatstroke, including kidney injury, sleep disruption, and exacerbation of chronic conditions like diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and mental health problems. While official records show some heat-related deaths, many more are believed to go unrecorded. The 16th Finance Commission has recommended classifying heatwaves as national disasters, but mitigation efforts face bureaucratic hurdles.

Despite the escalating climate crisis, India is witnessing extensive tree-felling in affected cities for infrastructure projects, including highways and lines. This contrasts with global efforts to increase green cover for climate mitigation. Critics also point to the Modi administration's perceived downplaying of climate change and a lack of transparent, consistent data on heat-related deaths, with the India Meteorological Department facing scrutiny over temperature readings.