Study Raises Concerns Over Growing Human Impact of Extreme Heat in Telangana
HYDERABAD: A new nationwide study has raised concerns about the health impact of extreme heat in Telangana. Researchers say heatwaves may cause far more deaths than official records currently show.
Published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Health, the study provides what researchers call the first district-level assessment of heatwave-related excess deaths across India. The analysis estimates that a single day of extreme heat could lead to nearly 3,400 additional deaths nationwide. A five-day heatwave could result in almost 30,000 excess deaths.
Hyderabad used as climate benchmark
The findings are especially important for Telangana. Researchers selected Hyderabad as one of only 10 benchmark cities to estimate heatwave-related deaths in districts with similar climate conditions.
The team grouped districts with similar climate and elevation into clusters. They then used representative cities to assess mortality risks. Hyderabad served as the reference city for dozens of districts across the Deccan Plateau, including several in Telangana.
The study found that districts in Hyderabad’s climate cluster showed mortality patterns similar to some of India’s most heat-vulnerable regions. Researchers said Hyderabad played a major role in estimating how extreme temperatures increase the risk of death across the region.
Reliability confirmed through analysis
Researchers also carried out a sensitivity analysis. They reassigned 53 districts between the Hyderabad and Pune climate clusters and found that national mortality estimates changed by less than 0.1%.
Most of the districts involved were in Telangana and Maharashtra. The minimal change strengthened Hyderabad’s role as a reliable climate benchmark for heat-related mortality studies.
Heat-related deaths may be underreported
Researchers said official heat-related death figures likely understate the true impact of extreme temperatures.
Doctors often record deaths linked to heat exposure as cardiovascular, respiratory, or other medical conditions. As a result, many heat-related deaths may not appear in official heatwave statistics.
The study also warned that repeated heatwaves, rapid urbanisation, population growth, and limited cooling facilities could increase risks across Telangana in the coming years.
Researchers noted that only about 8% of India’s population has access to air conditioning. This limits protection during long periods of extreme heat.
Public health experts also pointed to Hyderabad’s growing urban heat island effect. Dense construction, expanding road networks, and declining green cover trap heat in the city. Higher night-time temperatures make it harder for the body to recover from daytime heat stress.
