Extreme Heat in June Affected 600 Million Indians

In mid-June, over 60% of the global population faced extreme heat, significantly driven by human-induced climate change, according to Climate Central’s rapid attribution analysis. In India, around 619 million people experienced extreme heat between June 16 and June 24, resulting in over 40,000 heatstroke cases and more than 100 deaths. Temperatures soared to nearly 50°C, with nighttime lows at a record 37°C. Similar heatwaves affected 579 million people in China and 231 million in Indonesia. Globally, 4.97 billion people were exposed to extreme heat during this period. The eastern US also saw a significant increase in heat-related emergencies, and Saudi Arabia reported 1,300 heat-related deaths during the Hajj pilgrimage. Delayed monsoons exacerbated the heat in northwest India, causing additional fatalities. Dr. Dileep Mavalankar emphasized the severe health impacts of continuous high temperatures, highlighting the body’s inability to recover without cooler nighttime conditions. Andrew Pershing from Climate Central warned that these heatwaves, intensified by over a century of fossil fuel use, will persist until carbon pollution is addressed.