India's Heat Wave Reaches Dangerous "Wet-Bulb" Threshold

Rising temperatures in India are pushing the country towards the deadly "wet bulb" threshold, which could lead to increased fatalities if human body temperatures exceed 35°C. A Lancet study found a 55% spike in fatalities in India between 2000-2004 and 2017-2021 due to extreme heat. India's heat action plans (HAPs) do not consider the threats posed by humid heat, and only two of the 37 HAPs across 18 states have explicitly targeted vulnerable groups. The rest only have broad categories such as the elderly, outdoor workers, and pregnant women.