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Climate-Linked Heat Exposed 117 Million Indians During 2026 Summer
A study looked at very hot days during June, July, and August 2026.
It found that more than 1.5 billion people around the world experienced at least 30 unusually risky hot days.
India was one of the most affected countries, with 117 million people experiencing this heat.
China and Indonesia also had many people exposed.
The study compared temperatures with what was normal in each place from 1991 to 2020.
Europe had the most unusual heat compared with its usual temperatures.
Hot weather can increase risks to people’s health and put pressure on hospitals and emergency services.
A separate study estimated possible heatwave deaths in India, but those numbers were models rather than confirmed deaths.
More than 1.5 billion people experienced at least 30 days of risky heat worldwide between June and August 2026.
India recorded 117 million people exposed to at least 30 such days, followed by China with 94 million and Indonesia with 83 million.
Across Asia, 2.8 billion people, or 58% of the population, experienced at least 30 days of risky heat.
Climate Central defined risky heat as temperatures exceeding 90% of local historical observations from 1991-2020.
A district-level study estimated that a five-day heatwave could cause about 30,000 excess deaths in India, but the estimate is not the actual 2026 death toll.
- Who
- More than 1.5 billion people worldwide, including 117 million in India, were exposed to risky heat, according to a Climate Central analysis.
- What
- The analysis measured exposure to at least 30 days of unusually risky heat made significantly more likely by climate change.
- Where
- Worldwide, with Asia accounting for the largest number of exposed people; India was the most affected Asian country by the reported count.
- When
- From June 1 through August 31, 2026.
- Why
- Human-induced climate change increased the likelihood of unusually warm temperatures beyond local historical ranges.
Key facts
- Global exposure
- More than 1.5 billion people experienced at least 30 days of risky heat.
- India exposure
- 117 million people in India experienced at least 30 risky-heat days.
- Asian exposure
- 2.8 billion people, or 58% of Asia’s population, experienced at least 30 risky-heat days.
- Measurement period
- June 1 to August 31, 2026.
- Historical baseline
- Temperatures were compared with local observations from 1991-2020.
- European heat
- Nearly nine in 10 Europeans experienced at least a month of risky heat.
- Modeled Indian deaths
- A separate study estimated about 30,000 excess deaths from a five-day heatwave, including 8,056 in Uttar Pradesh; these were modeled estimates, not the confirmed 2026 toll.
Sources
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