Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Climate change is linked to wider health risks across India, doctor says
Climate change is creating wider health risks across India, beyond heatstroke and heatwaves.
Dr Divya Gopal, an internal medicine doctor at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, described how changing temperatures, rainfall and humidity can affect people’s health.
Rising night-time temperatures are disrupting sleep; the Lancet Countdown Report estimates that Indians lost about 64 hours of sleep a year from 2021 to 2025 because of them.
Poor sleep can affect concentration, immunity, hormone levels and mental well-being, and may contribute to high blood pressure.
Extreme heat can worsen heart and kidney problems, especially for people with existing conditions, while air pollution can aggravate asthma and other lung diseases.
Changing weather can shift infection risks by affecting mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, while floods can contaminate drinking water.
Climate impacts can also threaten food access and mental health, through crop damage, higher food prices, disasters and displacement; people with existing illnesses and communities exposed to extreme weather face particular risks.
Climate change is creating a range of health risks across India, according to Dr Divya Gopal, an internal medicine specialist.
Rising night-time temperatures can disrupt sleep, while extreme heat can worsen heart and kidney problems.
Changing weather patterns may alter the spread and seasonality of infections such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya.
Air pollution and airborne irritants can worsen respiratory symptoms, particularly for people with existing lung conditions.
Floods, extreme heat and disruption to food supplies can also affect mental health, nutrition and access to safe drinking water.
- Who
- Dr Divya Gopal, additional director of internal medicine at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, described the risks.
- What
- The article outlines health risks linked to climate change, including sleep disruption, infections, respiratory problems and mental distress.
- When
- The article was published on November 4, 2026. It cites sleep losses between 2021 and 2025.
- Where
- Across India.
- Why
- Rising temperatures, changing rainfall, humidity and extreme weather can affect health and increase exposure to hazards.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Indians lost approximately 64 hours of sleep annually owing to increasing night-time temperatures, according to the Lancet Countdown Report.
Hindustan Times published an interview with Dr Divya Gopal about climate change-related health risks.
- Sleep loss
- Approximately 64 hours annually for Indians between 2021 and 2025
- Doctor
- Dr Divya Gopal
- Hospital
- Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai
- Infections mentioned
- Dengue, malaria and chikungunya
- Publication date
- November 4, 2026
What people are saying
Climate change is no longer an environmental issue but rather a public health problem.
The rise in night-time temperatures can significantly affect sleep quality and duration.
Changes in temperature, humidity and rainfall can influence mosquito breeding patterns and the spread of disease vectors.