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76 per cent of Delhi remained heat-stressed for six years or more: CSE report

Around 76 per cent of Delhi’s area remained heat-stressed for six or more years between 2015 and 2024, with most construction sites, marketplaces and schools located in areas experiencing recurring extreme heat, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The report, Making Delhi Heat-Resilient: A Roadmap with the Focus on Vulnerable Groups, found that 98.72 per cent of the city’s total area crossed the heat-stress threshold at least once during the decade. According to the study, 92 per cent of construction projects are situated in areas where land surface temperatures exceeded 45°C at least once between 2015 and 2024, while 77 per cent are located in zones facing recurring extreme heat. The report noted that 84 per cent of Delhi’s 643 mapped marketplaces, including major mandis, are in areas experiencing recurrent heat stress. Similarly, 76 per cent of mapped informal settlements, home to nearly 1.32 million people, are located in heat-stressed localities. It also found that 80 per cent of the city’s 1,066 mapped schools are situated in heat-stressed areas. Thirty-five wards, including Matiala, Kakraula, Narela and Chandni Chowk, were identified as having “high” to “very high” cumulative vulnerability. Of Delhi’s 272 wards, 153 have more than 75 per cent of their area exposed to recurring heat stress, while 82 wards have over 90 per cent of their area affected. Seventeen wards are entirely under heat stress. The report warned that Delhi is facing an escalating heat crisis, with “feels-like” temperatures reaching up to 52°C in 2025. It noted that 25 heat-related deaths were officially reported in the city in 2024, although independent estimates placed the toll at more than 55. Delhi is also moving towards a “new and warmer normal”, with both average maximum and minimum temperatures rising over the past four decades. The city’s ability to cool down at night has declined by 9 per cent, while its urban core cools 3.8°C less than surrounding peri-urban areas, leading to round-the-clock heat stress in densely built neighbourhoods. Areas identified as persistently heat-stressed include the walled city and adjoining localities, Karol Bagh, Kashmere Gate, Connaught Place, Uttam Nagar, Palam, Dabri, Najafgarh, Kanjhawala, Budh Vihar, Bawana and Narela. Other affected locations include Samaypur Badli, Bhalswa, Jahangirpuri, Burari, Shahdara, Bhajanpura, Karawal Nagar, the Ghazipur and Okhla industrial areas, Badarpur, Madanpur Khadar, Tughlaqabad, Sangam Vihar, Mahipalpur, Aya Nagar, Bhikaji Cama Place, AIIMS, RK Puram and parts of South Delhi. Industrial zones such as Bawana, Mayapuri, Mundka, Anand Parbat and Mongolpuri have emerged as major heat hotspots, while several residential areas recorded land surface temperatures between 44°C and 50°C. The study also identified recently developed and redeveloped projects, including Bharat Mandapam, East Kidwai Nagar Housing Complex, the World Trade Centre in Safdarjung and Netaji Nagar, as heat-stressed areas. Land surface temperatures reached as high as 60.77°C during summer months in locations such as Indira Gandhi International Airport and stretches of barren or unsown agricultural land. According to the report, Delhi’s green cover declined from 25.36 per cent in 2014 to 14.14 per cent in 2024. The area covered by water bodies also shrank from 1.25 per cent to 0.99 per cent during the same period. The report noted that around 35 per cent of the city’s existing green and blue spaces are themselves heat-stressed, underscoring the need to improve both the quality and extent of such areas. In contrast, parts of the city including Lutyens’ Delhi, Civil Lines and Delhi Cantonment remained below the heat-stress threshold, largely due to extensive tree cover and shaded surfaces. The Yamuna also continues to provide a cooling effect, with nearby land surface temperatures remaining close to 33°C. Warning of the wider economic consequences, the report said heat-related productivity losses could amount to up to 4.5 per cent of India’s GDP, or roughly USD 150–250 billion, by the end of the decade. For the study, CSE analysed Landsat satellite data from 2015 to 2024 and mapped vulnerable groups, including children, older people, women, construction workers, street vendors, homeless people and residents of informal settlements, against heat-stressed zones. The report called for a heat-resilience strategy focused on vulnerable communities, alongside measures such as thermally efficient roofs, public cooling centres, climate-responsive urban planning and the expansion of green cover across the capital.

Over 75% of Delhi remained heat-stressed for six years or more: Report

About 75.78 per cent of Delhi's area remained heat-stressed for six or more years between 2015 and 2024, with a majority of construction sites, marketplaces and schools located in areas experiencing recurring extreme heat, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The report, titled "Making Delhi Heat-Resilient: A Roadmap with the Focus on Vulnerable Groups", said that 98.72 per cent of Delhi's total area crossed the heat-stress threshold at least once during the decade. According to the study, 92 per cent of construction projects are located in areas where land surface temperatures crossed the 45 degrees Celsius threshold at least once between 2015 and 2024, while 77 per cent are in areas witnessing recurring extreme heat. About 84 per cent of the 643 mapped marketplaces, including major mandis, are situated in areas experiencing recurrent heat stress, while 76 per cent of mapped informal settlements housing nearly 1.32 million people are located in heat-stressed localities, it said. The report also found that 80 per cent of the 1,066 schools mapped in the city are located in heat-stressed areas. It identified 35 wards, including Matiala, Kakraula, Narela and Chandni Chowk, as having "very high" to "high" cumulative vulnerability. According to the report, 153 of Delhi's 272 wards have more than 75 per cent of their area exposed to recurring heat stress, while 82 wards have more than 90 per cent of their area under heat stress. Seventeen wards have their entire area under heat stress. The report said Delhi faces a deepening crisis from rising temperatures, with "feels-like" temperatures reaching as high as 52 degrees Celsius in 2025. It noted that 25 heat-related deaths were reported in the city in 2024 by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while independent reports put the number at more than 55. It added that Delhi is shifting towards a "new and warmer normal", with increases observed in both annual average maximum and minimum temperatures over the past four decades. Delhi's ability to cool down at night has reduced by 9 per cent, the report said, adding that the city's core cools 3.8 degrees Celsius less than its peri-urban counterparts, causing heat stress to be retained round the clock in dense, concrete-heavy neighbourhoods. Areas identified as persistently heat-stressed include the walled city and its extensions, Karol Bagh, Kashmere Gate ISBT and its surroundings, Connaught Place (inner circle), Uttam Nagar, Palam, Dabri, Najafgarh, Kanjhawala, Budh Vihar, Bawana and Narela. Other heat-stressed locations include Samaypur Badli, Bhalswa, Jahangirpuri, Burari, Shahdara, Bhajanpura, Karawal Nagar, Ghazipur industrial area, Badarpur, Madanpur Khadar, Okhla industrial area, Tughlaqabad, Sangam Vihar, Mahipalpur, Aya Nagar, Bhikaji Cama Place, AIIMS, RK Puram, Kotla Mubarakpur, Sarai Kale Khan, parts of Green Park, Greater Kailash, East of Kailash and Lajpat Nagar, according to the report. The study found that industrial areas such as Bawana, Mayapuri, Mundka, Anand Parbat and Mongolpuri have emerged as major heat hotspots. Several residential neighbourhoods were also found to be recording land surface temperatures ranging from 44 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius. The report also identified newly built and redeveloped projects such as Bharat Mandapam, East Kidwai Nagar housing complex, the World Trade Centre in Safdarjung and Netaji Nagar as heat-stressed. It said land surface temperatures reached as high as 60.77 degrees Celsius during summer months in locations such as the Indira Gandhi International Airport and in areas with unsown agricultural land and barren stretches. According to the report, Delhi's green cover declined from 25.36 per cent in 2014 to 14.14 per cent in 2024, while the footprint of water bodies reduced from 1.25 per cent to 0.99 per cent during the same period. The report said around 35 per cent of the city's existing green and blue areas are themselves heat-stressed, highlighting the need to improve the quality of green spaces in addition to increasing their extent. At the same time, some parts of the city, including Lutyens' Delhi, Civil Lines and Delhi Cantonment, remained below the heat-stress threshold largely due to extensive tree cover and shading over paved surfaces. The Yamuna also continues to provide some cooling relief, with land surface temperatures around it remaining close to 33 degrees Celsius, the report said. "Delhi is in the grip of an escalating urban heat crisis," the report said, warning that heat-related productivity losses could amount to up to 4.5 per cent of India's GDP, or approximately USD 150-250 billion, by the end of this decade. For the study, CSE analysed Landsat satellite data from 2015 to 2024 to identify areas where land surface temperatures repeatedly exceeded 45 degrees Celsius. Researchers also mapped children, elderly people, women, construction workers, street vendors, homeless people and residents of informal settlements and overlaid their locations with heat-stressed areas to identify the city's most vulnerable neighbourhoods. The report called for a heat resilience strategy focused on vulnerable groups, along with measures such as thermally efficient roofs, public cooling centres, climate-responsive urban planning and expansion of green cover across the city.

World Environment Day: Bengaluru under fiery grip of relentless heat

The study was conducted based on land surface temperature analysis on satellite data for the summer months (March–July) between 2014 and 2023 to map spatial patterns of extreme heat. Areas were classified as heat-stressed when they crossed the IMD-defined threshold, which is 40°C, again and again for six or more years between 2014 and 2023. The heat-stressed map of Bengaluru shows that such areas, more or less, are distributed across the city. Within the identified heat-stressed zones, researchers focused on outdoor spaces requiring thermal comfort interventions. These included areas with high pedestrian activity, including streets, markets, transit nodes and public gathering spaces where people not only pass through but also wait, interact, work and eat. According to CSE, such locations disproportionately expose street vendors, daily-wage workers, commuters and other vulnerable groups to prolonged heat stress, making them critical priority sites for targeted interventions. Reducing sun exposure, enhancing local cooling through nature-based measures, lowering surface heat absorption and managing wind variability are some measures that can be adopted to bring down heat stress in such urban areas, the CSE study highlights. Together, these principles can help urban spaces prioritise measures that directly influence ambient air and surface temperatures, thereby improving overall outdoor thermal comfort. In open areas, shading through trees or built elements can reduce surface temperatures by more than 20°C, further limiting the re-radiation of heat from surface materials. Together, these effects support longer and more consistent use of outdoor spaces, particularly during peak heat hours. Blue-green infrastructure, including trees, parks, gardens, lakes and ponds, plays a vital role in regulating outdoor heat, experts say. Vegetation cools the surrounding environment through evapotranspiration and shading, while water bodies absorb heat and generate cooler microclimates. Expanding vegetation cover and introducing water features are important to address the issue of land surface temperature. “Expanding tree cover is a well-established heat mitigation strategy across diverse climatic conditions, effectively reducing temperatures through shading and evapotranspiration. A literature review on the effectiveness of blue–green infrastructure for microclimate regulation found that tree shading can lower surface temperatures by more than 15°C and reduce air temperatures by up to 2.8°C compared to unshaded areas. It is essential, however, to select species that are well-suited to local climatic conditions,” the study has noted.

CSE Report: दिल्ली की रातों से गायब हो रही है ठंडक, तपिश ने पैदा की चुनौती; घट रहा दिन-रात के तापमान का अंतर

दिल्ली में अब सिर्फ दिन की गर्मी ही नहीं, बल्कि रातों की तपिश भी लोगों की परेशानी बढ़ाने लगी है। कभी दिनभर की झुलसाने वाली गर्मी के बाद रातें राहत लेकर आती थीं, लेकिन अब राजधानी की रातें भी अंगारों जैसी महसूस होने लगी हैं। हालात ऐसे हैं कि दिल्ली धीरे-धीरे अपनी प्राकृतिक ठंडक खोती जा रही है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) की हालिया रिपोर्ट ‘मेकिंग दिल्ली हीट-रेजिलिएंट’ ने इस चिंताजनक बदलाव की तस्वीर सामने रखी है। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, 25 मई 2026 को दिल्ली ने पिछले 14 वर्षों की सबसे गर्म रात दर्ज की। उस दिन न्यूनतम तापमान 32.4 डिग्री सेल्सियस तक पहुंच गया जो सामान्य से काफी अधिक था। विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि यदि अभी से प्रभावी कदम नहीं उठाए गए तो आने वाले वर्षों में दिल्ली की रातें और ज्यादा गर्म हो सकती हैं। ऐसे में चुनौती केवल बढ़ते तापमान से निपटने की नहीं, बल्कि शहर को इस बदलती जलवायु के अनुरूप ढालने की भी है। सबसे ज्यादा असर कमजोर तबकों पर बढ़ती गर्मी का सबसे ज्यादा असर उन लोगों पर पड़ रहा है जो खुले आसमान के नीचे या सीमित संसाधनों के साथ जीवन बिताते हैं। इनमें निर्माण श्रमिक, गिग वर्कर, रेहड़ी-पटरी वाले, बेघर लोग, झुग्गी-झोपड़ियों में रहने वाले परिवार, महिलाएं, बच्चे और बुजुर्ग शामिल हैं। ये लोग दिल्ली की करीब आधी आबादी का हिस्सा हैं, लेकिन गर्मी से बचने के लिए इनके पास पर्याप्त साधन नहीं हैं। क्या होती है गर्म रात भारतीय मौसम विज्ञान विभाग (आईएमडी) के अनुसार, जब दिन का तापमान 40 डिग्री सेल्सियस से अधिक हो और रात का तापमान सामान्य से 4.5 से 6.4 डिग्री सेल्सियस ज्यादा बना रहे, तो उसे ‘गर्म रात’ माना जाता है। 25 मई को दिल्ली का तापमान इसी श्रेणी में दर्ज किया गया। दिन और रात के तापमान के अंतर में 9 प्रतिशत की कमी आई मई 2024 के सीएसई के ‘दिल्ली अर्बन हीट स्ट्रेस ट्रैकर’ अध्ययन के अनुसार, 2014 से 2023 के बीच दिल्ली में दिन और रात के तापमान के अंतर में लगभग 9 प्रतिशत की कमी आई है। पहले दिन और रात की भूमि सतह के तापमान में करीब 12 डिग्री सेल्सियस का अंतर होता था, लेकिन 2023 तक यह घटकर 9.8 डिग्री सेल्सियस रह गया। इसका मतलब है कि रातें पहले की तुलना में कम ठंडी हो रही हैं। रात की गर्मी क्यों है खतरनाक सीएसई में सस्टेनेबल हैबिटेट कार्यक्रम के निदेशक रजनीश सरीन के अनुसार, गर्म रातें शरीर को दिनभर जमा हुई गर्मी से उबरने का मौका नहीं देतीं। इससे हृदय पर अतिरिक्त दबाव पड़ता है, नींद प्रभावित होती है और शरीर की प्राकृतिक रिकवरी प्रक्रिया भी बाधित होती है। एसी से मिल रही ठंडक, लेकिन बढ़ रही गर्मी सीएसई की प्रोग्राम मैनेजर मिताशी सिंह बताती हैं कि बढ़ती गर्मी के कारण एयर कंडीशनर का इस्तेमाल तेजी से बढ़ रहा है। हालांकि एसी घरों को ठंडा करते हैं, लेकिन उनसे निकलने वाली गर्म हवा शहर के बाहरी वातावरण को और ज्यादा गर्म बना देती है। इससे शहरी इलाकों में गर्मी बढ़ने के साथ-साथ ठंडक तक पहुंच की असमानता भी गहराती जा रही है। सीएसई ने सुझाए ये उपाय भीषण गर्मी को औपचारिक रूप से आपदा घोषित किया जाए तापमान, लू और गर्मी के अन्य जोखिम की जानकारी देने वाला रियल टाइम हीट डैशबोर्ड तैयार किया जाए गर्मी रोकने वाली विशेष छतों (कूल रूफ) को बढ़ावा दिया जाए सार्वजनिक कूलिंग सेंटर बनाए जाएं और मजदूरों को नियमित कूलिंग ब्रेक दिए जाएं सुरक्षित कार्य समय तय किया जाए तथा कमजोर वर्गों के लिए विशेष सहायता योजनाएं लागू की जाएं

सीएसई रिपोर्ट: दिल्ली का 76% क्षेत्र एक दशक से हीट स्ट्रेस की चपेट में; बाजारों, स्कूलों और निर्माण स्थलों पर सबसे अधिक असर

राजधानी दिल्ली तेजी से गहराते अर्बन हीट क्राइसिस की चपेट में है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, वर्ष 2015 से 2024 के बीच दिल्ली का लगभग 76 प्रतिशत क्षेत्र छह या उससे अधिक वर्षों तक हीट स्ट्रेस (अत्यधिक गर्मी के दबाव) का सामना करता रहा। रिपोर्ट में यह भी पाया गया कि शहर के अधिकांश निर्माण स्थल, बाजार और स्कूल ऐसे इलाकों में स्थित हैं जहां बार-बार अत्यधिक गर्मी दर्ज की गई। किस रिपोर्ट में कया गया दावा? "मेकिंग दिल्ली हीट-रेजिलिएंट: ए रोडमैप विद द फोकस ऑन वल्नरेबल ग्रुप्स" शीर्षक वाली रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, पिछले दस वर्षों में दिल्ली के 98.72 प्रतिशत क्षेत्र ने कम से कम एक बार हीट स्ट्रेस की सीमा को पार किया। अध्ययन में पाया गया कि दिल्ली के 92 प्रतिशत निर्माण प्रोजेक्ट ऐसे क्षेत्रों में हैं जहां 2015 से 2024 के बीच भूमि सतह का तापमान कम से कम एक बार 45 डिग्री सेल्सियस से ऊपर पहुंचा। वहीं, 77 प्रतिशत निर्माण स्थल ऐसे क्षेत्रों में हैं जहां अत्यधिक गर्मी लगातार लौटती रही। दिल्ली के 643 जगहों की स्थिति खराब रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, दिल्ली के 643 चिन्हित बाजारों और प्रमुख मंडियों में से 84 प्रतिशत ऐसे इलाकों में स्थित हैं जहां बार-बार हीट स्ट्रेस की स्थिति बनती है। इसके अलावा, लगभग 13.2 लाख लोगों की आबादी वाली 76 प्रतिशत अनौपचारिक बस्तियां भी अत्यधिक गर्मी से प्रभावित क्षेत्रों में स्थित हैं। अध्ययन में यह भी सामने आया कि शहर के 1,066 स्कूलों में से 80 प्रतिशत हीट स्ट्रेस वाले इलाकों में स्थित हैं। रिपोर्ट ने मटियाला, ककरौला, नरेला और चांदनी चौक सहित 35 वार्डों को अत्यधिक या उच्च संवेदनशीलता वाले क्षेत्र के रूप में चिन्हित किया है। 17 वार्ड पूरी तरह हीट स्ट्रेस से प्रभावित रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, दिल्ली के 272 वार्डों में से 153 वार्ड ऐसे हैं जिनके 75 प्रतिशत से अधिक क्षेत्र में बार-बार हीट स्ट्रेस की स्थिति बनती है। वहीं, 82 वार्डों में 90 प्रतिशत से अधिक क्षेत्र अत्यधिक गर्मी की चपेट में है, जबकि 17 वार्ड पूरी तरह हीट स्ट्रेस से प्रभावित हैं। दिल्ली में गर्मी से होने वाली मौतें रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि बढ़ते तापमान के कारण दिल्ली एक गंभीर संकट का सामना कर रही है। वर्ष 2025 में राजधानी में महसूस किया जाने वाला तापमान (फील्स लाइक टेम्परेचर) 52 डिग्री सेल्सियस तक पहुंच गया। केंद्रीय स्वास्थ्य एवं परिवार कल्याण मंत्रालय के अनुसार, वर्ष 2024 में दिल्ली में गर्मी से 25 लोगों की मौत हुई, जबकि स्वतंत्र रिपोर्टों में यह संख्या 55 से अधिक बताई गई है। कंक्रीट वाले इलाकों में चौबीसों घंटे गर्मी सीएसई के अनुसार, दिल्ली अब न्यू एंड वार्मर नॉर्मल की ओर बढ़ रही है। पिछले चार दशकों में वार्षिक औसत अधिकतम और न्यूनतम तापमान दोनों में वृद्धि दर्ज की गई है। रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि दिल्ली की रात में ठंडा होने की क्षमता में 9 प्रतिशत की कमी आई है। शहर का केंद्रीय क्षेत्र आसपास के बाहरी क्षेत्रों की तुलना में रात में 3.8 डिग्री सेल्सियस कम ठंडा हो पाता है, जिससे घनी आबादी और कंक्रीट वाले इलाकों में चौबीसों घंटे गर्मी बनी रहती है। लगातार हीट स्ट्रेस वाले क्षेत्र पुरानी दिल्ली करोल बाग कश्मीरी गेट कनॉट प्लेस का इनर सर्कल उत्तम नगर पालम डाबड़ी नजफगढ़ कंझावला बुद्ध विहार बवाना नरेला इसके अलावा समयपुर बादली, भलस्वा, जहांगीरपुरी, बुराड़ी, शाहदरा, भजनपुरा, करावल नगर, गाजीपुर औद्योगिक क्षेत्र, बदरपुर, मदनपुर खादर, ओखला औद्योगिक क्षेत्र, तुगलकाबाद, संगम विहार, महिपालपुर और आरके पुरम जैसे इलाके भी अत्यधिक गर्मी से प्रभावित पाए गए। अध्ययन में बवाना, मायापुरी, मुंडका, आनंद पर्वत और मंगोलपुरी जैसे औद्योगिक क्षेत्रों को प्रमुख हीट हॉटस्पॉट बताया गया है। कई रिहायशी इलाकों में भूमि सतह का तापमान 44 से 50 डिग्री सेल्सियस के बीच दर्ज किया गया। भूमि सतह का तापमान 60.77 डिग्री सेल्सियस पहुंचा रिपोर्ट में भारत मंडपम, ईस्ट किदवई नगर आवासीय परिसर, सफदरजंग स्थित वर्ल्ड ट्रेड सेंटर और नेताजी नगर पुनर्विकास परियोजना को भी हीट स्ट्रेस वाले क्षेत्रों में शामिल किया गया है। अध्ययन के अनुसार, गर्मियों के दौरान इंदिरा गांधी अंतरराष्ट्रीय हवाई अड्डे तथा बंजर और बिना बोई गई कृषि भूमि वाले क्षेत्रों में भूमि सतह का तापमान 60.77 डिग्री सेल्सियस तक पहुंच गया। रिपोर्ट में यह भी कहा गया कि दिल्ली का हरित क्षेत्र वर्ष 2014 में 25.36 प्रतिशत था, जो 2024 में घटकर 14.14 प्रतिशत रह गया। इसी अवधि में जल निकायों का क्षेत्रफल 1.25 प्रतिशत से घटकर 0.99 प्रतिशत रह गया। चिंता की बात यह है कि शहर के लगभग 35 प्रतिशत हरित और जल क्षेत्र भी हीट स्ट्रेस से प्रभावित हैं। हालांकि, लुटियंस दिल्ली, सिविल लाइंस और दिल्ली कैंट जैसे कुछ इलाके घने वृक्षों और बेहतर छायादार संरचनाओं के कारण हीट स्ट्रेस की सीमा से नीचे बने हुए हैं। वहीं यमुना नदी के आसपास का क्षेत्र भी अपेक्षाकृत ठंडा पाया गया, जहां भूमि सतह का तापमान लगभग 33 डिग्री सेल्सियस दर्ज किया गया। आर्थिक लागत 150 से 250 अरब डॉलर रिपोर्ट ने चेतावनी दी है कि यदि स्थिति में सुधार नहीं हुआ तो गर्मी से होने वाली उत्पादकता में कमी इस दशक के अंत तक भारत की जीडीपी का 4.5 प्रतिशत तक नुकसान पहुंचा सकती है, जिसकी अनुमानित आर्थिक लागत 150 से 250 अरब डॉलर हो सकती है। सीएसई ने सुझाव दिया है कि दिल्ली में संवेदनशील वर्गों को केंद्र में रखकर हीट रेजिलिएंस रणनीति तैयार की जाए। इसके तहत तापरोधी छतों, सार्वजनिक कूलिंग सेंटरों, जलवायु-अनुकूल शहरी नियोजन और हरित क्षेत्रों के विस्तार जैसे उपायों को प्राथमिकता दी जानी चाहिए।

Three-fourths of Delhi faces heat stress as green cover shrinks, CSE study finds

About three-fourth or 75.78 per cent area of the national capital remained heat-stressed for six or more years between 2015 and 2024, according to a latest report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi. Majority of construction sites, marketplaces and schools were located in areas experiencing recurring extreme heat, the study found. The report, titled ‘Making Delhi Heat-Resilient: A Roadmap with the Focus on Vulnerable Groups’, said that 98.72 per cent of Delhi's total area crossed the heat-stress threshold at least once during the decade. The report revealed how the extreme heat intensified as the city kept losing its green cover. Delhi's green cover declined from 25.36 per cent in 2014 to 14.14 per cent in 2024, while the footprint of water bodies reduced from 1.25 per cent to 0.99 per cent during the same period.

No relief: 76% of Delhi experienced extreme heat since 2015, new study reveals

Nearly 76% of Delhi's area has faced dangerous levels of heat stress for six or more years between 2015 and 2024, putting millions that reside in the capital city under severe heat stress. The findings, released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), come as Delhi continues to endure another sweltering summer, and illustrate how the city housing over 35 million people has been dealing with extreme heat in recent years, and how the rising temperatures are permeating through everyday lives and reshaping them one day at a time.

Report: 75.78% of Capital’s area heat-stressed for 6 or more yrs

About 75.78 per cent of Delhi’s area remained heat-stressed for six or more years between 2015 and 2024, with a majority of construction sites, marketplaces and schools located in areas experiencing recurring extreme heat, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The report, titled “Making Delhi Heat-Resilient: A Roadmap with the Focus on Vulnerable Groups”, said that 98.72 per cent of Delhi’s total area crossed the heat-stress threshold at least once during the decade. According to the study, 92 per cent of construction projects are located in areas where land surface temperatures crossed the 45 degrees Celsius threshold at least once between 2015 and 2024, while 77 per cent are in areas witnessing recurring extreme heat. About 84 per cent of the 643 mapped marketplaces, including major mandis, are situated in areas experiencing recurrent heat stress, while 76 per cent of mapped informal settlements housing nearly 1.32 million people are located in heat-stressed localities, it said. The report also found that 80 per cent of the 1,066 schools mapped in the city are located in heat-stressed areas. It identified 35 wards, including Matiala, Kakraula, Narela and Chandni Chowk, as having “very high” to “high” cumulative vulnerability. According to the report, 153 of Delhi’s 272 wards have more than 75 per cent of their area exposed to recurring heat stress, while 82 wards have more than 90 per cent of their area under heat stress. Seventeen wards have their entire area under heat stress. The report said Delhi faces a deepening crisis from rising temperatures, with “feels-like” temperatures reaching as high as 52 degrees Celsius in 2025. It noted that 25 heat-related deaths were reported in the city in 2024 by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while independent reports put the number at more than 55. It added that Delhi is shifting towards a “new and warmer normal”, with increases observed in both annual average maximum and minimum temperatures over the past four decades. Delhi’s ability to cool down at night has reduced by 9 per cent, the report said, adding that the city’s core cools 3.8 degrees Celsius less than its peri-urban counterparts, causing heat stress to be retained round the clock in dense, concrete-heavy neighbourhoods. Areas identified as persistently heat-stressed include the walled city and its extensions, Karol Bagh, Kashmere Gate ISBT and its surroundings, Connaught Place (inner circle), Uttam Nagar, Palam, Dabri, Najafgarh, Kanjhawala, Budh Vihar, Bawana and Narela. A CSE study found large parts of Delhi facing severe heat stress, with temperatures crossing 60 degree Celsius in some locations. Declining green cover, expanding urbanisation and vulnerable populations have intensified risks, prompting calls for heat-resilient planning and expanded green spaces.

76% of Delhi area heat-stressed for six or more years: Report

About 76 per cent of Delhi area remained heat-stressed for six or more years between 2015 and 2024, with a majority of construction sites, marketplaces and schools located in areas experiencing recurring extreme heat, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The report, titled “Making Delhi Heat-Resilient: A Roadmap with the Focus on Vulnerable Groups”, said that 98.72 per cent of Delhi’s total area crossed the heat-stress threshold at least once during the decade.

Satellite data shows Delhi surface temperature hit 60°C

Using satellite-derived land surface temperature data, researchers found temperatures reaching as high as 60.77 degrees Celsius during summer months in locations such as the Indira Gandhi International Airport and other barren or sparsely vegetated stretches. Neighbourhoods such as Bawana Industrial Area, Sultanpur Dabas, Puth Khurd, Anand Parbat Industrial Area, Khera Kalan, Mayapuri, Libaspur, Balli Maran, Mongolpuri Industrial Area, Phase II and Mundka Industrial Area have emerged as heat spots. In addition, several residential areas are recording an LST ranging from 44°C to 50°C. The report, Making Delhi Heat-Resilient: A Roadmap with the Focus on Vulnerable Groups, released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), found that 98.72 per cent of Delhi’s area crossed the heat-stress threshold at least once between 2015 and 2024. The report identifies the walled city and its extensions, Karol Bagh, Kashmere Gate, Connaught Place, Uttam Nagar, Palam, Najafgarh, Budh Vihar, Bawana and Narela, among the areas facing recurring heat stress. According to the report, 75.78 per cent of Delhi’s area is persistently heat- stressed (LST > 45°C for six or more years). Nearly 98.72 per cent of the city’s total area crossed the heat threshold at least once over the decade. The report said that new heat spots include industrial areas (Bawana, Mayapuri and Mundka), high-density low-rise residential colonies, and even newly built complexes (like Bharat Mandapam and East Kidwai Nagar) have emerged. The report also links the growing heat burden directly to the shrinking of Delhi’s natural cooling infrastructure. According to the analysis, the city’s green cover declined from 25.36 per cent of its area in 2014 to just 14.14 per cent in 2024. Water-body footprints also reduced, shrinking from 1.25 per cent to 0.99 per cent during the same period. The report found that Delhi breached its normal mean maximum temperature on 42 out of 50 occasions during summer months between 2015 and 2024, suggesting that the city is gradually shifting towards a “new and warmer normal.” According to data shared by the IMD, the Capital’s average maximum temperature in May was 39.7°C, while the average minimum temperature stood at 25.8°C. According to the report, cool areas like Lutyen’s Delhi, Civil Lines and Delhi Cantonment have remained below the stress threshold, largely due to extensive shading over paved surfaces provided by trees. This points to the crucial role of dense canopy cover. At the same time, 35 per cent of existing green/blue areas are themselves heat-stressed, underscoring that the quality – and not just the quantity – of greens matters. In the north, this is happening mainly in Samaypur Badli, Bhalswa, Jahangirpuri, Burari and Azadpur industrial area. In the east, it is Shahdara, Bhajanpura, Karawal Nagar and Ghazipur industrial area; in the south-east, there is Badarpur, Madanpur Khadar, Okhla industrial area, Tughlaqabad and Sangam Vihar. In the south of Delhi, there are Mahipalpur, Aya Nagar, Bhikaji Cama Place, AIIMS, RK Puram, Kotla Mubarakpur, Sarai Kale Khan, parts of Green Park and Greater Kailash, East of Kailash, and Lajpat Nagar along the Ring Road. Interestingly, the newly built Bharat Mandapam and the redeveloped East Kidwai Nagar housing complex, as well as the World Trade Centre in Safdarjung and Netaji Nagar, are equally heat-stressed. One of the report’s most concerning findings is that Delhi’s ability to cool itself during the night is declining. The report highlights how rising temperatures are disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Nearly 80 per cent of Delhi’s workforce is employed in the informal sector, where workers often spend long hours outdoors with limited access to cooling, drinking water or shade.

Extreme Heat Risk Grips 76 Percent of Delhi, Schools and Markets Worst Hit: CSE Study

Urban centers in Delhi are trapping heat around the clock, leaving core city areas nearly four degrees Celsius warmer than outer zones at night. A comprehensive report by the Centre for Science and Environment reveals that the national capital has lost nine percent of its natural capacity to cool down after sunset. This night cooling deficit stems from a massive ecological decline over the past decade. The city saw its total green cover plummet from twenty-five point thirty-six percent in 2014 to just fourteen point fourteen percent by 2024, leaving concrete infrastructure exposed to soaring temperatures. Consequently, nearly seventy-six percent of Delhi experienced severe, persistent heat for six or more years between 2015 and 2024. The data shows that almost ninety-eight point seventy-two percent of the capital area breached the extreme heat threshold at least once during this ten-year window. The crisis directly impacts public infrastructure, placing eighty percent of surveyed schools and eighty-four percent of major commercial markets within high-risk zones. Unauthorized colonies housing over thirteen lakh people also sit in these chronically overheated pockets, while industrial areas like Mundka have become permanent heat hotspots. The human cost of this changing climate remains high. While official figures counted twenty-five heat-related fatalities in 2024, independent investigations tracked over fifty-five deaths, highlighting the urgent need for heat-resilient urban planning.

Delhi Heat Stress Report: 76% Area Facing Extreme Heat Crisis

A staggering 76 per cent of Delhi’s area experienced persistent heat stress for six or more years between 2015 and 2024, leaving the vast majority of the capital’s schools, marketplaces, and construction sites vulnerable to recurring extreme temperatures. According to PTI, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that nearly the entire city — 98.72 per cent — breached the heat-stress threshold at least once over the last decade. The report, titled "Making Delhi Heat-Resilient: A Roadmap with the Focus on Vulnerable Groups", warns that the capital is transitioning into a "new and warmer normal" due to a four-decade climb in both annual average maximum and minimum temperatures. This crisis is compounded by a severe drop in night-time cooling and a rapid depletion of the city's green cover and water bodies, threatening to trigger massive productivity losses. The CSE study, which analysed Landsat satellite data to track areas where land surface temperatures repeatedly exceeded 45 degrees Celsius, highlights an overlapping crisis of infrastructure and vulnerability.

India's solar boom eases daytime demand, but night shortages persist

“The bottleneck on the other side is coal,” said Binit Das from the Centre for Science and Environment. “India faces steep evening ramp requirements of about 60 GW, while national ramping needs reach up to 500 MW per minute on some days. Coal plants, physically constrained below 55 per cent load, simply cannot flex fast enough to follow this curve. Rising night-time temperatures are pushing cooling demand higher precisely when solar generation drops to zero.” At first, India’s record electricity demand this summer appeared to signal a renewable energy success story. On April 25, when peak demand touched 256 Gw, renewables met nearly 30 per cent of the requirement, including solar at 22 per cent, according to Grid India data. But the strain emerged after sunset. At 10.39 pm, the grid recorded a power shortfall of 4.2 Gw. Almost a month later, the pattern was repeated. On May 21, India’s electricity demand climbed further to a record 270.8 Gw. While daytime shortages remained negligible, the grid again reported a sharp rise in shortages during non-solar hours later in the night. At 10.45 pm, the shortage rose to 2.5 Gw. The numbers point to a limitation in India’s energy transition story. The system is becoming increasingly capable of handling daytime demand with solar power, but it is struggling during evening peak hours, when solar generation collapses. The challenge is no longer only about adding renewable capacity. It is about storing daytime solar power and making it available when consumers need it most. Why solar power alone is not enough Solar panels generate electricity only when sunlight is available, while household consumption typically rises after sunset. A rooftop solar home without a battery can use solar electricity during the day but still depend on the grid at night. Similarly, utility-scale solar plants without storage cannot independently meet evening peak demand. The missing link is the ability to store excess daytime electricity and dispatch it later through batteries, pumped hydro systems or other storage technologies. The mismatch is already visible in India’s electricity markets and grid operations. On May 3, electricity prices on India’s main power exchange fell to ₹1.85 a unit by 8 am and kept falling as solar plants offered nearly six times more power than the grid could absorb. By evening, prices climbed back to ₹4-5 a unit as demand rose after sunset. “The bottleneck on the other side is coal,” said Binit Das from the Centre for Science and Environment. “India faces steep evening ramp requirements of about 60 GW, while national ramping needs reach up to 500 MW per minute on some days. Coal plants, physically constrained below 55 per cent load, simply cannot flex fast enough to follow this curve. Rising night-time temperatures are pushing cooling demand higher precisely when solar generation drops to zero.” As solar capacity rises, grid operators are being forced to manage two opposing pressures: excess renewable generation during the day and supply stress in the evening. Where the storage gap is coming from India still lacks enough battery and pumped hydro storage capacity to shift large volumes of daytime renewable energy into evening hours. According to estimates by the Central Electricity Authority, India requires over 411.4 GWh of battery energy storage capacity by 2031-32 to integrate solar and wind capacity. “Storage will become essential for balancing the grid, shifting excess daytime generation to peak consumption periods, and improving the reliability of renewable energy,” said Pratik Kamdar, co-founder and chief executive officer of Neuron Energy. The scale of the storage challenge remains large. India has deployed only around 6 Gw of battery storage so far, even as renewable capacity continues to expand rapidly. Vinay Rustagi, chief business officer at Premier Energies, said the grid could earlier absorb solar variability more easily when renewable penetration was lower. But rapid solar expansion has now created “an acute need for storage capacity to provide firm power to consumers.” The shift is also reshaping investment priorities. “India’s renewable energy sector is clearly entering a second phase focused on storage, flexibility and grid integration, rather than just adding solar and wind capacity,” said Somesh Kumar, partner and leader, power and utilities at EY India. What India needs to fix evening power stress The priority now should be building a power system flexible enough to shift electricity across different hours of the day. Storage deployment is a key part of that shift. While battery prices have fallen sharply over the past decade, industry executives say financing, manufacturing scale and policy execution remain bottlenecks. “The next stage will depend on scaling execution, accelerating domestic manufacturing, and creating investment frameworks that support long-term deployment,” Neuron Energy’s Kamdar said. Grid flexibility is another critical issue. India may need a mix of utility-scale batteries, pumped hydro and distributed storage systems as renewable penetration rises. Das pointed to the need for faster rollout of smart meters and time-of-day tariffs, which can encourage consumers to shift some electricity consumption away from evening peak hours. “Without metering, time-sensitive pricing remains theoretical,” he said. Policy and market reforms will also be needed to attract storage investment. EY India’s Kumar said storage projects still require clearer revenue visibility and stronger market mechanisms to scale up deployment. He pointed to time-of-day tariffs, capacity payments for firm power supply, ancillary services markets, viability gap funding and concessional financing as key enablers. He added that regulatory recognition of storage as a distinct asset class and clearer procurement frameworks for utilities would become increasingly important as India moves towards firm and dispatchable renewable power. The next phase of solar is about night India’s solar story has entered its next phase. The first phase was about making solar cheap and scaling capacity. The next will be about making solar available when consumers need it most. For households, the promise of solar will not be fully realised at noon, when generation is abundant, but after sunset, when the grid is under the most pressure. “India has spent 15 years installing panels. The next 10 will be decided by what it builds around them. The grid doesn't need more solar. It needs more solar hours,” said Das.

Heatwaves Turn Deadly: Why Millions of Animals Have Absolutely Nowhere to Hide

According to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), extreme weather events killed approximately 77,189 animals across India between January and November 2025. While this figure includes deaths from floods, storms, lightning, and heatwaves. Heatwaves Turns Deadly: Why Millions of Animals Have Absolutely Nowhere to Hide In past few years India’s heat has been increasing on an alarming rate. During 2025 we witnessed heavy heat waves and a lot of people lost their lives due to thin butt in 2026 the heat is wors due to which humans are suffering, but there are lots of other living beings who are suffering in silence. Animals are holding on for their lives as temperatures crossing 46°C in several states and touching nearly 47°C in parts of Maharashtra, animals are increasingly facing dehydration, heatstroke, starvation, and habitat loss. What appears to be an uncomfortable summer for humans can become a death sentence for creatures that cannot seek shelter. Birds, Dogs, Cats, cattle etc are in grave danger as heatwaves in major states reaching newest highs. India’s States have ranked highest in world for having hottest summer. Here are some states with highest heat: Rajasthan 45–47°C Uttar Pradesh 44–48°C Maharashtra 42–46°C Gujarat 42–45°C Telangana 40–44°C Experts warn that rising temperatures are becoming one of the biggest threats to animal survival. In 2026, reports from heatwave-hit states such as Telangana and Andhra Pradesh documented hundreds of bat deaths and livestock losses due to extreme heat, although no official nationwide animal death count has yet been released. The scale of the problem is alarming. According to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), extreme weather events killed approximately 77,189 animals across India between January and November 2025. While this figure includes deaths from floods, storms, lightning, and heatwaves. While people can go indoors, switch on fans, or drink cold water, animals have no escape from India's extreme heat. Across cities, villages, forests, wetlands, and farmlands, the 2025 and 2026 heatwaves have become a growing crisis for wildlife, livestock, and street animals. A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight Unlike human deaths, animal deaths from heatwaves often go undocumented. Stray dogs collapse on scorching roads, birds fall from the sky due to dehydration, cattle suffer heat stress, and fish die in shrinking lakes and ponds. Many deaths occur in remote forests, wetlands, and rural areas where there is little monitoring or reporting. As heatwaves become longer and more intense, animals are being pushed beyond their biological limits. Water sources dry up, vegetation withers, and food becomes scarce. The result is a silent emergency unfolding across ecosystems. Wildlife Under Threat Wild animals are among the hardest hit. Forests and grasslands that normally provide food and water become hostile environments during prolonged heatwaves. Deer, monkeys, wild boars, birds, reptiles, and countless smaller species are forced to travel farther in search of water, increasing exhaustion and mortality. hundreds of fish died In several regions of India during 2026, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh were among the worst-hit states where temperatures crossed 45–48°C. In Delhi’s Sanjay Lake, hundreds of fish died after the lake partially dried up and oxygen levels dropped dangerously low. In Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, hundreds of bats died during extreme heat, while rescue groups treated dehydrated birds, monkeys, snakes, and other wildlife collapsing from heat exhaustion. The problem extends beyond individual animals. Heatwaves disrupt breeding cycles, migration patterns, and ecosystem balance, creating long-term consequences for biodiversity. Street Animals Have Nowhere to Go For India's millions of stray dogs and cats, summer can be brutal. Unlike pets, street animals cannot access cool shelters, clean drinking water, or medical care. Hot roads and pavements can burn paws, while prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause dehydration and organ failure. Animal welfare organizations across the country report increases in heat-related distress cases during summer months, with many animals requiring emergency treatment. In crowded urban areas, access to clean water becomes a daily struggle. A simple bowl of water placed outside a home or shop can mean the difference between life and death for a thirsty animal. Livestock and Rural Communities Are Also Suffering Heatwaves are not only affecting wildlife and strays. Farmers across India are reporting losses among cattle, goats, buffaloes, and poultry. High temperatures reduce milk production, weaken animals, increase disease risk, and in severe cases cause death. Livestock deaths represent both an animal welfare issue and an economic burden for rural families that depend on these animals for their livelihoods. As climate change intensifies, experts expect heat stress on livestock to become an increasingly serious challenge. Why Heatwaves Are Becoming More Dangerous Scientists have repeatedly linked the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves to climate change. Rising global temperatures make extreme heat events more likely, more severe, and longer lasting. For animals, this means: • Reduced access to water • Loss of habitat and food sources • Increased risk of heatstroke • Greater vulnerability to disease • Disrupted breeding and migration patterns Every additional degree of warming increases the pressure on already vulnerable species. What Can Ordinary People Do? Although the problem is large, small actions can save lives. • Keep bowls of clean water outside homes, offices, and shops. • Place water containers on balconies and rooftops for birds. • Plant and protect trees that provide shade. • Support local animal rescue organizations. • Report distressed wildlife to forest authorities or animal welfare groups. • Avoid disturbing animals seeking shelter during extreme heat. These simple steps can provide immediate relief to animals struggling to survive record-breaking temperatures. The Bottom Line India's heatwave crisis is no longer just a human story. It is also an animal welfare and biodiversity emergency. Tens of thousands of animals were killed by extreme weather events in 2025, while reports from 2026 continue to document wildlife and livestock deaths linked to extreme heat. Most of these deaths happen unnoticed. There are no headlines for a thirsty bird falling from the sky or a stray dog collapsing on a scorching road. Yet together they reveal a harsh reality as temperatures rise, animals are paying a growing price for a warming planet. The next time the temperature crosses 45°C, remember that while humans can find shade, millions of animals cannot. Their survival may depend on the choices we make today.

Delhi nights to turn harsher as city experiences urban heat island effect; CSE report warns of 'cooling inequity'

Delhi has been caught in a vicious cycle of trapped heat, losing its critical capacity to cool down at night and triggering severe health risks for over half its population, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed on Tuesday. On May 25, 2026, the capital recorded a night-time temperature of 32.4°C—its warmest night in 14 years. According to the report, titled 'Making Delhi Heat-Resilient', the city's diurnal cooling (the temperature difference between day and night) shrank by 9 percent over the last decade. While a normal summer night used to drop by 12°C compared to the day, that relief has now dwindled to less than 10°C. "Higher night-time temperatures take a heavy toll on human health," said Mitashi Singh, lead author of the report. "It prevents the body from recovering from daytime heat stress, leading to cardiovascular strain, disrupted sleep, and lasting physiological damage." The crisis highlights a stark "cooling inequity." As wealthier residents retreat into air-conditioned spaces, Delhi’s peak power demand has soared to 8,231 MW. However, functioning ACs release trapped heat back into the atmosphere, worsening the urban heat island effect. The CSE also blames Delhi's concrete density, shrinking green spaces, poor building insulation, and vehicle emissions for trapping daytime heat. Construction workers, gig workers, street vendors, and slum residents make up roughly 50% of Delhi's population. For them, a sleepless, sweltering night directly translates to daytime exhaustion, heat sickness, and lost daily wages. Despite this, current city heat action plans offer virtually no strategies to build resilience for these exposed communities. Rajneesh Sareen, programme director, sustainable habitat, CSE, said, “The vulnerable communities are estimated to form at least 50 per cent of Delhi’s population. They do not have adequate means to adapt to the rising heat and are impacted more severely. They toil through the day to earn their daily bread – this becomes brutal when the nights do not provide any respite either. To add to this, if they fall sick – it means wage losses.” To prevent the capital from becoming unliveable, the report urges a dual-strategy roadmap. It calls for city-wide overhauls, including mandating thermally efficient roofs, recognising heat as a notified disaster, and designing wind-ventilated layouts. Crucially, for the outdoor workforce, it demands immediate protections: mandatory cooling breaks, staggered work hours, and dedicated financial and medical support during heat emergencies. Higher night-time temperature can take a heavier toll on human health, Singh added.