Heatwaves-India
One climate change impact that I see very clearly around me in India is the increasing severity of heatwaves. Summers have always been hot here, but over the last few years the heat feels different. It starts earlier, lasts longer, and is much harder to cope with. What used to be peak heat for a few weeks in May or June now stretches across several months.
This extreme heat affects daily life in very real ways. People who work outdoors such as construction workers, farmers, street vendors, and delivery workers struggle the most. Working in the afternoon heat has become exhausting and sometimes dangerous. Cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat strokes are more common, especially among older people and children. In cities, nights do not cool down anymore because of concrete buildings and roads, so there is hardly any relief even after sunset. Power cuts during peak summer make things worse, especially for households that rely on fans or coolers.
Heatwaves also put pressure on water and food systems. Water shortages become more frequent in summer, and many families depend on tankers or irregular supply. In rural areas, high temperatures affect crops and livestock. Farmers talk about lower yields, stressed animals, and higher costs just to keep things going. Schools sometimes change timings or shut temporarily, and overall productivity drops because people simply cannot function in extreme heat.
There have been some responses to this situation. Many cities and states now have Heat Action Plans that include heat alerts, public announcements, and hospital preparedness. There are more messages on phones and in the news warning people to stay indoors during peak hours and drink more water. In some places, work timings for outdoor labor are adjusted, and schools start earlier in the day.
At the local level, people are adapting in small but meaningful ways. They avoid afternoon work, wear lighter clothes, keep water with them at all times, and use traditional cooling methods like earthen pots. Community groups and NGOs set up water points and shaded rest areas during peak summer months. Some buildings are experimenting with white or reflective roofs to reduce indoor temperatures, which makes a noticeable difference.
Even with these adaptations, heatwaves remain a serious challenge, especially for poorer communities who do not have the option to stay indoors or use air conditioning. Living through these summers makes it very clear that climate change is not a future problem for India. It is already affecting how people live, work, and stay healthy every day.