INDIA AND PAKISTAN — A sustained heatwave began in mid-April 2026 across India and Pakistan, killing at least 47 people and driving record electricity demand. Daily maximum temperatures have exceeded 46°C in many locations, with some areas experiencing temperatures 5-to-8°C above seasonal norms.
The heatwave has claimed at least 37 lives in India and 10 in Pakistan. Heat-related deaths are systemically undercounted in India, suggesting the true toll may be higher. Most weather bulletins report air temperature rather than wet-bulb temperature, making it difficult to confirm whether lethal thresholds were reached.
Persistent high-pressure weather systems have lingered over the region, suppressing cloud formation and reducing rainfall. Drought conditions affecting more than one million square kilometers have worsened due to the heat.
Humidity levels are worsening in parts of both countries, compounding health risks. Humidity reduces the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating. For example, 35°C with 90% humidity poses a similar lethal risk to 45°C with 30% humidity for older people outdoors. Healthy individuals aged 18–35 are also at risk of dying at 45°C with 40% humidity.
Urban areas remain hot overnight due to heat retention by concrete and asphalt, limiting the body’s ability to recover from daytime exposure. Wealthier residents can use air conditioning and avoid outdoor activity, but people in informal settlements and rural communities often lack access to cooling or healthcare. Outdoor workers—including construction laborers, farmers, and delivery riders—face elevated risks due to physically demanding tasks in extreme conditions.
Electricity demand in India has hit record levels as air conditioner use surged. According to World Weather Attribution estimates, climate change has made the April 15–29, 2026 heatwave about three times more likely and approximately 1°C hotter. At current global warming levels of 1.4°C, similar heatwaves are expected to occur about once every five years on the subcontinent. If warming reaches 2.6°C by 2100, such events could happen every 2–3 years and be 2.2°C hotter.
The monsoon typically arrives in southern India in early June and covers the entire country by mid-July, while in Pakistan it usually begins in early July. Monsoon conditions generally bring cooler daytime temperatures through cloud cover and rain, though humidity often remains high.