Climate Change and Health in India: Dasra Report Highlights High-Risk Districts

Under the Weather: Analyzing India’s Climate-Health Nexus

A groundbreaking report titled “Under the Weather: India’s Climate-Health Intersections and Pathways to Resilience,” released by Dasra and the ClimateRISE Alliance in April 2026, details how climate change is functioning as a 'health-risk multiplier' across India.

Key Highlights of the Vulnerability Assessment

• High-Risk Areas: Nearly 40% of India's districts are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events like heatwaves, cyclones, and floods.


• Disease Surge: Climate stress is increasing the prevalence of water-borne diseases (Cholera, Hepatitis) and vector-borne diseases (Dengue, Malaria).


• Heat Impact: Extreme heat events are linked to an 11.7% increase in cardiovascular mortality. Pregnant women and infants are identified as the most vulnerable groups, with heatwaves linked to a 16% higher likelihood of preterm births.


• Economic Loss: India lost an estimated 160 billion labor hours in 2021 due to heat exposure, equivalent to 5.4% of its GDP.

Pathways to Resilience

The report calls for localized, disaggregated data systems and climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure. For TNPSC and Public Health aspirants, this is a critical study point under "Environment - Climate Change" and "Health and Nutrition," linking ecological stability with national productivity.