The cost of extreme temperatures for India

The average number of heat wave days rose to the highest in a decade in 2022, data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed. The country reported 190 heat wave days in 2022 — over six times higher than the previous year. As per an India Meteorological Department (IMD) report, 2022 was the fifth warmest year since 1901, with temperatures 0.51 degree Celsius above the 1981-2010 average. A World Bank report indicates that India will suffer 2.5-4.5% of GDP loss by 2030 from lost labour hours owing to extreme heat and humidity conditions. ISHAAN GERA looks at the data:

RISING HEAT WAVE DAYS

• Number of heat wave days in 2022 highest since 2013
• As per IMD, 2022 was the fifth warmest year on record since 1901

NORTH INDIA IMPACTED THE MOST

• 5 states — Punjab, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Haryana, Delhi — account for 57% of country’s heat wave days in 2022
• Their share was 38% in 2021
• Karnataka, Assam, Himachal did not suffer a single heat wave day in 2022

SIGNIFICANT HEATWAVE COSTS

• As per World Bank report, 40% of India’s GDP dependent on heatexposed work
• By 2030, 34 m of 80 m job losses due to productivity decline from heat stress will be in India
• Lost labour hours will lead to 2.5-4.5% of GDP loss
• More losses as temperature rises

Projected degree Celsius increase in temperatures for South Asia, compared to 1981-2010