India's Cities Face Rising Heat and Flood Risks Amid Rapid Urbanisation
India's Cities Face Rising Heat and Flood Risks Amid Rapid Urbanisation
India · Published Oct 11, 2026
• India's cities are experiencing significant climate challenges, with 98 of the world's 100 hottest cities this summer located in the country. Urban areas are growing rapidly, with the population expected to double from 48 crore in 2020 to 95 crore by
• This expansion necessitates the construction of 14.4 crore new homes by

Impact & Risks

The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves and urban flooding pose severe risks to India's urban population. Heat-related deaths could rise from 1.44 lakh annually to 3.28 lakh by 2050 if emissions remain high. Coastal flood damage is projected to escalate from ₹0.23 lakh crore in 2010 to ₹7.2 lakh crore by 2050. Additionally, heat has already caused ₹18.7 lakh crore in income losses in 2024 due to reduced work hours. The lack of preparedness is evident, with only 10 out of 126 cities having flood management plans. The financial gap for climate-ready urban infrastructure is estimated at ₹202 lakh crore by 2050.

Related News