Lack of Consistent Statistics on Heatstroke and Fatalities due to Heat Exposure in India: Insights from Experts
INDIA: Inconsistencies in Data-Reporting Systems Contribute to Unreliable Heat-Related Death Data
New Delhi - Dis parities in data-reporting systems across India have been identified as the primary cause of unreliable data on heatstroke and heat-related fatalities. Experts contend that inadequate data collection, undercounting, and data silos are major contributing factors to this issue.
During a discussion at the India Heat Summit 2025, organized by research group Climate Trends, Health Ministry Advisor Soumya Swaminathan highlighted that deaths from extreme heat are just the tip of the iceberg. Swaminathan emphasized the need to strengthen death-reporting systems, as these data points are crucial for policymakers to formulate and update their strategies effectively [1].
Swaminathan also mentioned that heat-related deaths may be underreported in India due to an absence of robust data. She elaborated on the need for an environmental health hub, where various ministries, including health, environment, and earth sciences, can collaborate, share data, and transform information into actionable policies [1].
Chandni Singh, a researcher at the Indian Institute of Human Settlements, stated that challenges in recording heat deaths are significant, and there is currently no nationally-representative heatstroke and heat-related deaths dataset to reference. However, inferences can be drawn from existing datasets [2].
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been gathering and reporting heatstroke and heat-related death data under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) since 2015. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also collects data related to heat deaths, while the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) data on heat deaths has been cited by Union Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh in parliamentary replies [3].
Despite these efforts, the data from these various sources frequently differs. For example, the NCDC reported a total of 3,775 heat-related deaths between 2015 and 2019, while the NCRB recorded 6,537 heat-related deaths during the same period [3].
Additionally, Swaminathan noted that while the number of heat action plans is growing, there is a lack of community consultation and field testing in their development [4]. Krishna Vatsa, member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), agreed, stating that there is a need for a well-established academic or technical center to assist districts in preparing heat action plans [5].
In conclusion, strengthening the collection and reporting of data on heat-related deaths is vital for creating an accurate and comprehensive dataset to support informed policymaking and enhance the nation's response to heatwaves. The establishment of an environmental health hub, improved data collection methods, and transparent alert systems are potential solutions to address the current challenges in data reporting.
- To advance policymaking and improve the response to heatwaves, establishing an environmental health hub is crucial, where ministries of health, environment, and earth sciences can collaborate and share data.
- In India, heat-related deaths may be underreported, and there is currently no nationally-representative heatstroke and heat-related deaths dataset, making data inferences from existing datasets important.
- Despite various sources, such as the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), India Meteorological Department (IMD), and National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), reporting heatstroke and heat-related death data, inconsistencies in the data from these sources remain a concern.
- Apart from strengthening data-reporting systems, it is essential to develop heat action plans with community consultation and field testing, and establishing a well-funded academic or technical center can aid districts in this process. Additionally, focusing on mental health, nutrition, science, environmental science, fitness-and-exercise, health-and-wellness, and climate-change will support overall public health initiatives and contribute to a more comprehensive approach to heat-related data collection and reporting.
