From April 2024 to June 2024,[1][2] a severe and long heat wave affected India.[3] The heat wave occurred during the Indian summer or pre-monsoon, which typically lasts from March to June, with peak temperatures in April and May. The year marked the third consecutive year of extreme heat waves in the country, a trend partly attributed to climate change.[1][2].
Churu district in Rajasthan recorded a temperature of 50.5°C (122.9°F), the highest in India in eight years.[4]. A temperature of 52.9°C was recorded in Mungeshpur, Delhi, and was initially thought to be record-breaking. However, it was later found to be approximately 3°C too high due to a faulty sensor.[5][6]
Casualties
As of 3rd June 2024, there were a total of 219 deaths reported from the heat wave,[7] and 25,000 others suffered from heatstroke.[8] The deaths include 33 workers who were stationed on election duty during the seventh and last phase of the 2024 Indian general elections.[9] There were 147 reported deaths in the state of Odisha, and 12 more in Rajasthan.[7]
In Rajasthan, temperatures reached 50°C (122°F) in Churu, Sirsa and Phalodi, while Delhi's Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh also neared 50 °C on 28 May.[10][11] There were more than twice as many heatwave days recorded in northwestern and eastern parts of the country than usual, mainly due to fewer non-monsoon thundershowers and warm winds blowing from neighbouring arid regions into India.[8] IMD data showed that Delhi recorded its warmest night ever at a minimum temperature of 35.2 °C (95.36 °F).[12]
Indian authorities reported over 40,000 cases of heatstroke through the country during the heat wave.[13]
Impact
Due to the intense heat increasing water consumption and lowering river levels, New Delhi suffered a water crisis, requiring water tankers to be driven into distribution points in order to provide hydration to citizens whose taps ran dry.[14]
The intense, prolonged increase in temperature caused many manufacturing companies to lower working hours during the month of May, contributing to a national three-month low in the rate of increase in new orders.[15] Due to increased usage of electricity for cooling, the All India Power Engineers Federation warned of potential blackouts and loss of power on 18 June 2024.[16]
Measures and Preparedness Actions
The NDMA and IMD are rolling out Heat Action Plans in 23 states, including early‑warning systems, district vulnerability maps and special guidance for outdoor workers.[17] The central health ministry has asked states to improve monitoring of heat‑related illnesses, strengthen reporting via the IHIP and train health‑care workers in diagnosing and treating heat‑illness.[18] Authorities introduced “heat‑stroke rooms” in hospitals for rapid‑cooling treatment and organised a whole‑of‑government approach to emergency cooling, but the scale of actual implementation remains uncertain.[19] In New Delhi, the 2025 Heat Action Plan includes installing about 3,000 water‑coolers across the city, shaded footpaths, “cool” roofs and special heat‑wave wards in hospitals.[20] Some states are using the State Disaster Mitigation Fund to build cooling shelters, upgrade infrastructure and set up early‑warning systems for heat.[21] During peak heat, some states also reduced outdoor working hours and set up rehydration stations in markets and public areas.[22]
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