Heat is rising across India
Top Heat-Risk States in India: The year 2024 was the hottest ever recorded globally. This rising heat is not just a number on a chart—it’s something that people across India are feeling in their daily lives. From schools shifting schedules to farmers altering crop patterns, the impact of heat is now personal.
India experienced its longest heatwave since 2010, stretching across multiple states. This was not just a summer discomfort but a public health and environmental crisis. And among the most affected states is Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu faces growing heat danger
Tamil Nadu now ranks fifth in the list of Indian states facing high to very high heat risk, according to a report by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). What’s more worrying is that none of the districts in Tamil Nadu are in the low or very low-risk categories.
Out of all the districts in the state:
- 11% face moderate risk
- 43% are under high heat risk
- A staggering 46% are classified as very high risk
This means that almost every part of Tamil Nadu is vulnerable to extreme heat. In real life, this could lead to increased electricity consumption, more frequent health emergencies, and serious damage to agriculture.
Andhra Pradesh and others top the list
Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Goa are all at the top of the heat risk index. These states share the first rank in terms of overall exposure and vulnerability. While these are coastal regions with traditionally moderate climates, changing global temperatures are now shifting that balance.
Why this matters for people and planners?
Heat isn’t just a weather event anymore. It affects health, water supply, crop yield, and daily productivity. Cities and rural areas alike are struggling to adapt. The heat risk index by CEEW is an urgent reminder for policymakers to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, public awareness, and heat action plans.
Simple measures like cool roofing, shade-providing tree plantations, and public cooling spaces can go a long way in reducing the risk.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Top Heat-Risk States in India:
| Topic | Fact |
| CEEW Full Form | Council on Energy, Environment and Water |
| India’s Longest Heatwave Since | 2010 |
| Hottest Year Recorded Globally | 2024 |
| Tamil Nadu Heat Risk Rank | 5th among Indian States |
| Tamil Nadu Very Low/Low Risk Districts | 0% |
| Moderate Risk Districts in Tamil Nadu | 11% |
| High Risk Districts in Tamil Nadu | 43% |
| Very High Risk Districts in Tamil Nadu | 46% |
| States Ranked 1st in Heat Risk | Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa |
| Tamil Nadu Capital | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu Area (Static GK) | 130,058 km² |
| Andhra Pradesh Capital (Static GK) | Amaravati |
| Heat Action Plans | City-level preparedness plans for extreme heat events |
| Impact of Heatwaves | Public health, agriculture, electricity demand |
| Coastal States in First Rank | Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra |
