“From Climate Change to Urban Heat: What’s Driving India’s Extreme Temperatures”

Heatwave 2026: With 19 of world’s 20 hottest cities, why India is burning like nowhere else on Earth India is currently at the centre of an unprecedented heatwave crisis, with 19 of the world’s 20 hottest cities recorded within the country, reflecting a widespread and intense rise in temperatures across regions. The extreme heat is not due to a single cause but a combination of factors, including climate change, prolonged dry conditions, delayed pre-monsoon activity, and persistent high-pressure systems that trap hot air over large areas. Rapid urbanisation has worsened the situation, as concrete structures and reduced green cover create urban heat islands that retain and amplify heat. Additionally, declining soil moisture and changing wind patterns have intensified heatwave conditions, while global warming continues to increase both the frequency and severity of such events. Experts warn that rising night-time temperatures and humidity levels are further increasing health risks, leaving little relief even after sunset. Overall, the convergence of environmental, climatic, and human-driven factors has made India one of the most heat-vulnerable regions in the world today.