Archive · 21 Jul 2026
Top 10 Cities at Risk from Extreme Heat
Scientists from the University of Oxford studied 205 big cities around the world to see which ones are most at risk from extreme heat.
They looked at how hot the cities get, how vulnerable the people living there are, and how well the cities can handle the heat.
They found that Al Basrah is the most at-risk city, and three Indian cities are also in the top 10.
The study shows that heat risk isn't just about the weather but also about how well cities can protect their people.
Some experts say cities should improve their infrastructure to handle heat better, while others think global efforts to fight climate change are more important.
University of Oxford ranked 205 cities based on heat risk.
Al Basrah is the most at-risk city according to the study.
Three Indian cities are in the top 10 most at-risk cities.
The study considered peak temperature levels, population vulnerability, and adaptive capacity.
Heat risk is influenced by social vulnerabilities and infrastructural capacities.
- Who
- University of Oxford researchers
- What
- Ranked cities based on heat risk
- When
- Recently published
- Where
- Global urban centers
- Why
- To highlight cities most vulnerable to extreme heat
Urban Planning and Infrastructure
Climate Change Mitigation
Infrastructure Investment
Urban Planning and Infrastructure
Investing in better urban infrastructure can significantly reduce heat risk by improving ventilation and cooling systems.
Climate Change Mitigation
Mitigating climate change through global policies is essential to reduce the root cause of extreme heat.
Adaptive Capacity
Urban Planning and Infrastructure
Cities should focus on enhancing their adaptive capacity to manage heat stress through better urban planning and emergency response systems.
Climate Change Mitigation
Global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are crucial to prevent the worsening of extreme heat conditions.
- Study Source
- University of Oxford
- Journal
- Sustainable Cities and Society
- Cities Assessed
- 205
- Key Dimensions
- Peak temperature levels, population vulnerability, adaptive capacity
- Top City at Risk
- Al Basrah
- Indian Cities in Top 10
- 3