A study by India Meteorological Department (IMD) highlights rising humid heat along India’s coastal regions, increasing health risks and reducing labour productivity due to combined effects of temperature and humidity.

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•  Humid heat is increasing rapidly along India’s coastal regions, especially before the monsoon season.
• Rising wet-bulb temperature (WBT) shows combined effect of heat and humidity worsening human discomfort.
•  Study based on data from 1981–2020 shows significant rise in heat stress across all seasons.
•  Heat stress events have become more frequent and intense, particularly since early 2000s.
•  East coast experiencing faster rise in humidity compared to west coast regions.
• Warming Indian Ocean is increasing moisture in atmosphere, intensifying humid heat conditions.
• High humidity reduces body’s ability to cool through sweating, increasing risk of heatstroke.
•  Coastal workers like fishers are reducing work hours due to extreme heat conditions.
•  Heat stress impacts public health, productivity, and urban living conditions significantly.
•  Elderly, outdoor workers and vulnerable groups are most affected by rising humid heat.
•  India lost around 191 billion labour hours in 2022 due to heat exposure, impacting economy.
•  Experts call for heat action plans, early warning systems and climate-resilient urban planning.
• Need for region-specific heat stress index using WBT for better forecasting and public safety.