Prashant Awasthi retweetledi
100/100 for India
But not an achievement - as today the 100/100 warmest cities of the world are in India
And apart from summers, phenomenon like formation of Urban Heat Islands is making the life of city residents literally hell
And our govt’s poor urban planning is adding to the woes
Concrete, asphalt, and buildings absorb sunlight during the day and release that heat slowly at night (unlike soil, grass, or trees which cool faster).
No trees or vegetation means less shade and less evaporative cooling (plants “sweat” to cool down).
Air conditioners, cars, factories, and people are pumping out extra waste heat.
Tall buildings are trapping heat and blocking wind that could cool things down.
Dark surfaces (roads, roofs) absorb more sunlight than lighter natural surfaces.
And it is having Real-world effect in India:
In April heatwaves, a city like Delhi or Mumbai can be 4–8°C (7–14°F) hotter than nearby villages at night.
This makes the already extreme weather feel far worse, higher heat stress, more deaths, higher electricity demand for cooling, and worse air pollution
Do have a look at these Quick numbers:
• Rural area: 38°C day / 22°C night
• City center: 42°C day / 28–30°C night
This is why big Indian cities often top the “hottest places on Earth” lists during heatwaves, the natural heat + urban heat island effect combine
Simple fix ideas (though hard to scale fast):
- More trees
- white/painted roofs (IAS Supriya Sahi has already proved it on a large scale in Chennai)
- Green spaces, and, easier said than done
- Better urban planning 🙏
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