India endured 20 heatwave days per person in 2024, one-third due to climate change: Lancet report

The agriculture sector accounted for two-thirds of the losses, while construction contributed around 20%, resulting in a potential income loss of $194 billion in 2024.

People in India experienced nearly 20 heatwave days on average in 2024, of which about one-third would not have occurred without climate change, according to The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change 2025 report.

The report estimates that heat exposure last year led to the loss of 247 billion potential labour hours, the highest ever, translating to about 420 hours per person and marking a 124% increase from the 1990s.

The agriculture sector accounted for two-thirds of the losses, while construction contributed around 20%, resulting in a potential income loss of $194 billion in 2024.

The analysis, led by an international team of 128 experts from 71 institutions and UN agencies under University College London, highlights the growing impact of climate change on health and livelihoods. Released ahead of the COP30 climate summit, it warns that continued dependence on fossil fuels is driving unprecedented levels of health risks.

Globally, heat-related deaths have risen 23% since the 1990s, now reaching about 546,000 annually, while the spread potential of dengue has increased by up to 49% since the 1950s, the report said.

In India, between 2020 and 2024, an average of 10,200 deaths each year were linked to PM2.5 pollution from forest fires, a 28% increase compared to 2003–2012. Human-caused PM2.5 pollution led to over 1.7 million deaths in 2022, with coal and liquid gas use responsible for 44% of them. Emissions from petrol-based road transport alone contributed to around 269,000 deaths, the study found.

(With inputs from agencies)