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Climate
India: About 30,000 Deaths in Five Days During Heat Wave, According to Unprecedented Study
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 2 min read
The essentials
According to Le Monde on July 18, 2026, a groundbreaking study estimates excess mortality — an abnormally elevated death rate compared to baseline — linked to extreme heat in India for the first time, calculating approximately 30,000 deaths in just five days during heat wave episodes. India, the world's most populous country, faces extreme humid heat conditions among the highest global exposures. Researchers increasingly consider these heat episodes to be growing more frequent.
- Approximately 30,000 deaths estimated in five days during heat waves in India
- First study to calculate excess mortality linked to extreme heat in the country
- India, world's most populous nation, heavily exposed to extreme humid heat
- Heat wave episodes increasingly frequent according to researchers
What We Know
According to Le Monde on July 18, 2026, a study estimates excess mortality — an abnormally elevated death rate compared to baseline — linked to extreme heat in India for the first time. Approximately 30,000 people are estimated to have died in just five days during heat wave episodes.
~30,000
Deaths estimated in five days during heat wave episodes in India
India, the world's most populous country, is among the most exposed to extreme humid heat. Researchers increasingly consider these episodes to be growing more frequent.
Context
A heat wave is a meteorological phenomenon characterized by abnormally elevated air temperatures, both day and night, that persist for several days to weeks across a wide area. Heat accumulates faster than it dissipates, reducing the temperature difference between day and night.
Extreme humid heat is characterized by air saturated with water vapor, measured by wet-bulb temperature — the temperature an air parcel would reach if water were evaporated into it until saturation. This type of exposure is particularly prevalent in India.
What Remains Uncertain
Available information does not specify which particular heat wave episodes were included in the study, nor the exact time period analyzed. The methodology used to calculate excess mortality is not detailed in the available information.
What is excess mortality linked to heat?
Excess mortality refers to an abnormally elevated death rate compared to baseline. Applied to heat waves, it quantifies deaths beyond what would normally be expected during extreme heat episodes, compared to typical conditions.
Why is India particularly exposed to heat waves?
India is the world's most populous country and among the most exposed to extreme humid heat. These episodes, considered increasingly frequent, combine high temperatures with high humidity levels in the air.
What is extreme humid heat?
Humid heat is measured by wet-bulb temperature, an indicator of air saturation with water vapor. It represents the temperature an air parcel would reach if water were evaporated into it until saturation, at constant pressure.
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