Urban Heat Rising Faster Than Expected in Indian Cities

Patiala, India Railway Station by Naveen Sharma

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that many Indian cities may heat up far faster than global climate models currently predict. 

Researchers from the University of East Anglia analyzed temperature trends in 104 medium sized cities across tropical and subtropical regions, including 18 cities in India. 

Their findings show that urban areas are consistently warm faster than surrounding rural regions, meaning people living in cities could face significantly stronger heat exposure in the future. 

Key highlights 

Across the cities studied: 

• Urban areas warmed about 45% more than surrounding rural regions. 

• Climate models projecting around 2.2°C warming for the region could mean 2.6–2.7°C in cities once urban effects are included. 

• Some cities could experience even larger increases. 

One striking example is Patiala in northern India, where temperatures could rise twice as fast as projected for nearby rural areas. 

This means that if global climate models predict 2°C warming, the actual temperature increase inside the city could reach 4°C. 

Climate Change Context 

The main reason is the urban heat island effect. Cities contain large areas of concrete, asphalt, and buildings that absorb and retain heat, while having less vegetation and moisture to provide natural cooling. In contrast, surrounding rural areas often have more vegetation that cools the land through evapotranspiration. As climate change increases moisture, rainfall, evapotranspiration and plant growth in some rural regions, these areas may warm more slowly, widening the temperature gap between cities and the countryside. 

Health and Socioeconomic implications 

Faster urban warming has major implications for public health and infrastructure. 

Higher temperatures in cities can increase: 

• Heat stress and heat related illness 

• Demand for cooling and electricity 

• Water stress in already vulnerable regions 

• Public spending on heat adaptation measures 

As climate change continues to intensify global heat extremes, urban populations could face the greatest risks. 

Urgent Response Needed 

Reducing future heat risks will require both climate mitigation and urban adaptation. 

Cities can act by: 

• Expanding urban tree cover and green spaces 

• Designing cooler buildings and reflective surfaces 

• Improving water management and urban ventilation 

• Strengthening heat early warning systems 

At the same time, reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally remains essential to limit the overall rise in temperatures. 

Without stronger climate action, urban heat stress could become one of the most serious climate risks for rapidly growing cities across the tropics. 

Read more about heat stress here. 

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