Unprecedented climate crisis hit on India: Study

India faced severe climate impacts in 2024, with record heat exposure costing 247 billion labor hours and air pollution causing 1.7 million deaths in 2022.

Published on: Oct 29, 2025, 05:44:17 IST

By Ridhima Gupta, New Delhi

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India’s struggle with climate change intensified dramatically in 2024, with heat exposure costing the nation a record 247 billion potential labour hours and air pollution claiming over 1.7 million lives in 2022, according to the 2025 report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change.

Wildfire smoke was responsible for an annual average of 10,200 deaths from 2020 to 2024, up 28% from 2003-2012. (AFP)

The annual publication, which tracks 50-plus peer-reviewed indicators linking health and climate change, revealed that 12 of 20 health risk indicators set concerning new records last year. People in India were exposed to 19.8 heatwave days on average in 2024, with 6.6 days attributable directly to climate change.

Heat exposure in 2024 translated to a record 419 hours per person in lost labour capacity—124% more than in the baseline period of 1990-1999. The agriculture sector bore the brunt with 66% of losses, while construction accounted for 20%. The associated potential income loss reached US$194 billion.

Compared to 1990-1999, people experienced 366 additional hours during which ambient heat posed a moderate or higher risk of heat stress during outdoor physical activity—a record high that affects both work capacity and sleep quality, with implications for physical and mental health.

Anthropogenic air pollution claimed 1,718,000 lives in India in 2022, representing a 38% increase since 2010. Fossil fuels contributed to 752,000 deaths (44% of the total), with coal alone responsible for 394,000 deaths, primarily from power plant emissions (298,000 deaths). Petrol use in road transportation accounted for 269,000 deaths.

The monetised value of premature mortality from outdoor air pollution reached US$339.4 billion in 2022—equivalent to 9.5% of the nation’s GDP.

Household air pollution from polluting fuels was associated with 113 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022, with rural areas experiencing higher mortality rates (125 per 100,000) than urban areas (99 per 100,000).

Wildfire smoke was responsible for an annual average of 10,200 deaths from 2020 to 2024, up 28% from 2003-2012. Globally, 2024 recorded 154,000 deaths from wildfire smoke-derived particulate matter.

Land experiencing extreme drought surged 138%, from 14.1% in 1951-1960 to the 2015-2024 period. Between 2020 and 2024, 35% of India’s land area experienced at least one month of extreme drought annually. Globally, a record 61% of land area faced extreme drought in 2024.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ridhima Gupta
Ridhima Gupta is a Principal Correspondent at Hindustan Times, where she covers healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and public health policy. Her reporting centers on Delhi’s major hospitals (AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lok Nayak), the state health department, and emerging medical trends. Ridhima is particularly interested in reporting on healthcare issues through the lens of women, children, and persons with disabilities. Her work often explores the intersection of healthcare and public policy, examining how these factors shape access health care. Based in New Delhi, many of her reports have led to direct government action over the years, in different city. Earlier this year, she completed a media training workshop on the Impact of Extreme Heat on Health, organised by the Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC), further strengthening her interest in reporting on the intersection of climate change and public health. A postgraduate from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Ridhima has around a decade of experience in journalism. She began her career as a trainee television reporter with Mirror Now in Mumbai and has since worked across multiple cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi, contributing to both print and broadcast newsrooms. She is a recipient of the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022) for her reporting on education, disability, and women’s issues. Before joining Hindustan Times, Ridhima worked with The Times of India, New Indian Express and News18. A native of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, Ridhima completed her undergraduate studies in Biotechnology. And when she is not working as a journalist she likes to paint and go on nature hikes.Read More

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