Inferno Report

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The year 2024 has been recorded as the hottest year so far in human history and the pattern

won’t surprise if it loses its ‘title’ to 2025. This year, we witnessed the temperature surging to

a record-breaking 52.3 degrees Celsius in Delhi’s Mungeshpur, posing a significant threat to

the lives and livelihoods of the general population. While there is ample and necessary

discussion around climate change, the severity of its impacts on disadvantaged communities

often goes unreported, exacerbating existing social and economic divisions within society.

Heatwaves, as a stark manifestation of global climate change, intersect with the United

Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their intersection reveals the complexity

and urgency of addressing the impacts of rising temperatures to ensure holistic and inclusive

progress toward sustainability.

SDG 1: No Poverty

The economic ramifications of heatwaves are disproportionately felt by low-income populations who

typically have limited resources to adapt. These groups often live in slums and organized clusters

often termed substandard housing which lacks adequate cooling, increasing their exposure to extreme

heat. It causes significant financial strain due to loss of income from reduced labor productivity,

increased energy costs for cooling, and healthcare costs.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger and Achieve Food & Nutritional Security

Agriculture, especially in regions reliant on rain-fed farming, is highly vulnerable to heatwaves.

Extreme temperatures lead to soil degradation and loss of arable land, crop failures, reduced

livestock productivity, and increased pest and disease outbreaks. These factors diminish crop quality

and quantity, leading to lower food availability and higher prices. The nutritional quality of food is

also compromised as stressed crops often have lower levels of essential nutrients, and reduced crop

diversity leads to dietary deficiencies. For communities already vulnerable to food insecurity, these

ramifications are particularly severe.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Extreme heat puts immense strain on the human body, leading to heat-related illnesses such as heat

exhaustion, heatstroke, and sunburns. Disadvantaged populations, including the elderly, children, and

those with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly at risk. Moreover, high temperatures can

worsen air quality, intensifying respiratory problems and increasing the prevalence of diseases like

asthma. Addressing these health impacts requires targeted public health interventions and improved

healthcare infrastructure to support at-risk populations during extreme heat events.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Heatwaves lead to increased evaporation rates and decreased precipitation, reducing water availability

in reservoirs, rivers, and groundwater sources. This affects not only drinking water supplies but also

agricultural and industrial water use. Water scarcity strains water supply systems, particularly in urban

areas where demand is high. Extreme heat can also stress infrastructure components like pipes and

reservoirs, leading to leaks, bursts, and other infrastructure failures affecting the functionality of

sanitation systems, such as sewage treatment plants and septic tanks.

Heatwave Inequities

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