India’s heat is killing thousands. Official numbers may be missing the real toll

Team TOI PlusTNN & Agencies
Jun 3, 2026 | 15:16 IST
Image: AI

As hotter days, warmer nights and humidity push the body harder, a new study estimates that a five-day heatwave could cause nearly 30,000 excess deaths across India — far beyond what official heatstroke counts are built to capture

India’s heat crisis is no longer confined to record-breaking afternoons. It is stretching into the night, trapping stress in the body and turning summer into a recurring public health threat for millions who have little protection at home, at work or in the health system.

The next few years are expected to make that risk worse. The World Meteorological Organisation has warned that global temperatures are likely to remain at or near record levels over the next five years.
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