South Asia Extreme Heat Crisis
Recent Developments
012026-07-29: The World Bank said extreme heat is costing South Asia the equivalent of 31 million full-time jobs a year and could cut regional GDP by nearly 7% by 2050.
022026-05-14: World Weather Attribution said the April 2026 India-Pakistan heatwave was about three times more likely and about 1°C hotter because of human-caused climate change, with at least 37 deaths in India and 10 in Karachi reported.
032026-10-04: Bangladesh power cuts worsened amid searing heat, with reported demand of 16,237 MW against production of 13,988 MW and outages of up to 10 hours in rural areas.
Interventions
- World Bank recommendations to expand Heat Action Plans, heat-resilient infrastructure, sustainable cooling, and early warning systems across South Asian cities.
- Regional climate-risk monitoring and attribution efforts documenting extreme-heat trends and supporting public warnings.
What Works
- Heat Action Plans combined with early warnings and public cooling measures reduce illness and deaths during heatwaves.
- Heat-resilient urban infrastructure, sustainable cooling, and worker protections help limit productivity losses and service disruption during extreme heat.
How to Help
- Donate to organizations providing heat-risk relief, public health support, and worker protection in South Asia.
- Support local NGOs and community groups that distribute water, shade, cooling access, and heat-health information.
- Advocate for stronger heat action plans, power-system resilience, and worker protections through elected representatives.
Make an Impact
Donate directly to 10 verified organizations working on this crisis. Every contribution makes a difference.
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Raise Awareness
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Verified Organizations
Organizations Helping(24)
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society is using a Heatwave Early Action Protocol to trigger early measures before dangerous heat impacts communities. Its work focuses on anticipatory action, heat-risk reduction, and coordination with disaster preparedness partners to minimize health harms during intense heatwaves.
AIDMI collaborates with local governments, NGOs, and communities to develop and implement heat action plans that include early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, and capacity-building activities. They conduct research on heat-related health risks, promote heat-resistant infrastructure, and advocate for policies to reduce heat-related mortality and morbidity while improving community resilience in India and across South Asia.
In Nepal, Practical Action develops heatwave early warning and early action systems to strengthen community resilience against urban heat islands and extreme heat events. Their work focuses on climate-resilient practices, evidence-based interventions, and capacity building tailored to South Asian contexts.
GHHIN is establishing a South Asia Regional Heat Action Hub in 2025 to convene stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and private sectors across at least four countries. The hub facilitates knowledge exchange, drives policy change, implements practical interventions, and strengthens local capacity to manage extreme heat risks, with funding and technical support provided for 2025-2028.
