Resource detail

At least 31 million people in India aged over 65 years faced health problems on account of heatwaves between 2000 and 2016, a new report linking climate change and its health impacts has revealed. Weather-related disasters increased 46 per cent in 2007-16 as compared with the 1990-99 average, stated the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, published online. Indians comprised a fourth of the 125 million age-65-plus individuals affected by heatwaves globally during 2000-16. Those exposed to heatwave events faced symptoms ranging from heat stress or heat stroke to exacerbation of preexisting heart failure or increased risk of kidney injury from dehydration.