Heatwaves Impacting Labour Productivity

Syllabus :GS 3/Environment  

In News

• India is facing increasingly severe heatwaves with 2024 and early 2025 seeing record temperatures and early heatwave conditions.

Heat waves 

• They are periods of unusually high temperatures relative to a region’s normal climate. 
• The threshold for declaring a heat wave varies by location based on historical temperature patterns. 
• Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degree C or more for Plains and at least 30 degree C or more for Hilly regions
• Factors like high humidity, strong winds, and prolonged duration can worsen their impact.

Impacts  

• According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), India lost an estimated $100 billion in productivity due to heat-related work disruptions, particularly impacting informal and outdoor workers like farmers, construction workers, and delivery partners. 
• The World Bank estimates that 75% of India’s workforce (380 million people) work in heat-exposed sectors.
• Heatwaves also harm agriculture, reducing crop yields (e.g., wheat yields drop 5.2% per 1°C rise) and affecting livestock.
  •  Urban areas face the “urban heat island” effect, where infrastructure retains heat, worsening nighttime temperatures.
• The CEEW report reveals that 57% of Indian districts are at high heat risk. States like Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh are particularly vulnerable.
  • Rapid urbanisation and poor housing exacerbate heat risks, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

Government Steps 

• Government response includes heat action plans at city and State levels, NDMA guidelines, and measures like shaded shelters, water supply, and urban greening. Some cities, like Chennai, have mapped urban heat islands for planning.
• However, rural areas remain underprotected, lacking robust healthcare and infrastructure. 
• Experts suggest insurance schemes for heat-affected workers, strategic long-term investments, and compensation models for income loss due to heat-related work stoppages
• Heatwaves are a growing climate threat that demands coordinated short-term action and long-term policy solutions focused on resilience, equity, and sustainable urban development.

Source:TH