Prioritizing Heat Mitigation
Strengthening heat resilience through sub-national and local action planning that connects heat, health and ecosystems.
India is experiencing longer, more intense heatwaves. In 2024, the country recorded its longest heatwave period, stretching from February to September. Within the first 15 days of April alone, over 80% of the population was exposed to strong or very strong heat stress for more than six hours per day. As per the National Program on Climate Change and Human Health, 2024 saw over 48,000 suspected heat stroke cases and more than 160 confirmed fatalities - figures that likely understate the true scale of impact.
Extreme heat has far-reaching consequences for India’s economy, productivity, and food-water-energy systems. By 2030, heat stress could lead to a 6% reduction in annual working hours, resulting in an estimated 34 million job losses. Informal workers, whose livelihoods depend on climate-sensitive sectors, are most vulnerable. In 2022, heatwaves led to a reduction of over 15% in wheat yield and milk production.
Despite national guidelines by 2019 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the introduction of the India Cooling Action Plan (2019) and the National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illnesses (2024), Heat Action Plans (HAPs) across states often lack scientific rigor, dedicated funding, and context-specific implementation frameworks. As of 2023, 23 states are developing state-, district- or city-level HAPs, but many plans do not effectively identify local thresholds or account for vulnerable populations. Efforts remain fragmented.
Tamil Nadu Heat Mitigation Strategy
Tamil Nadu is leading with India’s first overarching state-level heat mitigation strategy that holistically addresses human, animal and ecosystem health across urban and rural contexts. Developed by the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission with support from the British High Commission in India, the strategy brings together climate data, institutional challenges, and priority actions across departments. It recognizes heat as a complex risk that intersects with existing programs and calls for systemic changes across sectors.
The strategy maps spatial and temporal heat trends and identifies the sectors, communities, and systems that require urgent interventions. Recommendations are grouped under three integrated action pathways: health and well-being, sustained economic and resource productivity, and cooling solutions. It also calls for embedding heat resilience into building design codes, introducing shade and water access in public spaces, and promoting nature-based solutions.
Notably, Tamil Nadu has declared heatwaves as a state-specific hazard, enabling better funding, monitoring and adaptive risk reduction. WRI India supported the development process through stakeholder engagement and technical guidance on nature-based cooling and urban heat governance.
