As India grapples with record temperatures, healthcare and climate experts worry that escalating heatwaves are already having a serious impact on public health. The Delhi Science Forum (DSF) has proposed a national-level public engagement on 26 April, 2025 to deliberate over evidence-based ways to protect vulnerable areas populations from extreme summer weather and build long-term resilience particularly in urban areas.

"Climate change is unfolding faster than our models predicted," states D. Raghunandan, former DSF secretary and climate specialist.

Speaking to Drug Today Medical Times, he said, "We must rethink how we protect people's health when temperatures regularly top 40°C months earlier than usual."

Pointing out that 2024 was the warmest on record globally, and average temperatures have now surpassed the 1.5°C increase considered safe under the Paris Agreement, Raghunandan says that for India, one of the ten countries most affected by changing weather patterns, such warming has resulted in longer, more intense hot spells in 2023 and 2024.

Heatwaves, or extended periods of extremely hot weather, are commonly referred to as "silent killers" because their influence on mortality is underreported. Organs and essential systems experience severe stress when the body's temperature rises above the normal 37°C (98.6°F). If the humidity is also excessive, sweating alone may not be sufficient to cool the body. Heat exhaustion, characterised by dizziness, rapid pulse, nausea, and muscle cramps, can occur when core temperatures exceed 38.3°C (101°F). If the body temperature rises above 40°C (104°F), sweating ceases, blood pressure drops, and the danger of severe brain damage or death increases dramatically.

"Each year, thousands of workers and low-income households bear the brunt," Raghunandan, said.

Outdoor workers, including construction teams, delivery staff, street vendors, and factory workers in heat-intensive units, are particularly vulnerable. Infants, older adults, and those with heart, lung, or kidney issues are also at high risk, he pointed out.

The "urban heat island" effect occurs when concrete, asphalt, and high-height structures absorb and radiate heat, causing temperatures to rise. Natural cooling is hampered by a lack of green space and obstructed wind routes. "Air conditioners help one household but add waste heat to the street," explains Raghunandan.

"This creates a vicious loop, hotter cities demand more cooling, which in turn makes the air hotter," he added.

The forthcoming DSF event is expected to provide a critical platform for NGOs, trade unions, health experts, academics, and community organisations to work together to combat extreme heat. As heatwaves become more intense and frequent, the conference will prioritise a coordinated response.

Key discussions will be on redefining heatwave notifications with specific warning levels, allowing citizens to know when to seek relief or medical attention. To safeguard outdoor workers, varying work hours should be mandated to avoid high heat periods. Practical on-the-ground solutions such as mobile health clinics and shaded relief stations in high-exposure areas—construction sites, marketplaces, and train stations—will also be recommended.

The forum emphasises the necessity of easily accessible community education programs that explain heat stress symptoms and first-aid procedures in simple terms. Long-term urban solutions, such as promoting cool roofs, boosting tree cover, and reducing waste heat from air conditioners, will also be discussed, with the goal of achieving a safer and more heat-tolerant future.

"As doctors and engineers, we must ensure every policy links back to saving lives," Raghunandan says.

The DSF will act as a coordinating hub, offering technical briefings and communicating with government authorities. Participating organisations will conduct on-the-ground operations in their respective areas, such as health camps in low-income settlements or advice drives in corporate offices.

Experts believe that with prompt action—combining precise warnings, preventive health measures, and urban design changes—India can significantly reduce heat-related illness and productivity loss within five years. Raghunandan cautions, "Delay means more people will suffer irreversible harm." The consultation, which is available to all stakeholders, aims to establish a clear path for preserving lives as mercury levels continue to rise.