Intensifying Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect in Indian Metros: Challenges and Policy Imperatives

The implications for public health and society are severe. Prolonged exposure to heat, without nighttime relief, leads to heat exhaustion, respiratory issues, and increased mortality, especially among the urban poor living in congested settlements with poor ventilation. Economically, it triggers a vicious cycle of energy consumption; higher temperatures lead to increased use of air conditioning, which in turn releases more waste heat into the environment, further warming the city. To mitigate these risks, the study advocates for a paradigm shift in urban planning. Key interventions include expanding 'Green Infrastructure' through urban forests and parks, protecting 'Blue-Green Spaces' (water bodies), and adopting permeable surfaces that allow for natural cooling. Additionally, the implementation of 'Cool Roof' policies and the Miyawaki method of afforestation are essential for building climate-resilient cities. UPSC Relevance: This topic is highly relevant for GS Paper I (Urbanization and its problems) and GS Paper III (Environment and Disaster Management). It provides a contemporary case study for questions regarding sustainable urban development, the impact of climate change on public health, and the necessity of integrating 'Heat Action Plans' into municipal governance and the 74th Constitutional Amendment framework.