Urban Heat Island Effect: Why Indian Cities are Failing to Cool Down at Night

From a policy perspective, this trend exposes the limitations of current Heat Action Plans (HAPs), which primarily focus on daytime temperature peaks. The CSE report identifies rapid, unplanned urbanization, the disappearance of water bodies, and the 'canyoning' effect of high-rise buildings as primary drivers. Furthermore, the reliance on air conditioning creates a vicious cycle: AC units vent waste heat into the streets, further warming the local environment. The socio-economic implications are profound. The urban poor, residing in overcrowded, poorly ventilated informal settlements, face the highest 'cooling poverty.' They lack the financial means for active cooling and are most exposed to the trapped heat. This increases energy vulnerability and widens the inequality gap in urban resilience. Addressing this requires a transition toward 'cool roofs,' increased green-blue infrastructure, and building designs that prioritize natural ventilation. UPSC Relevance: This topic is vital for GS Paper I (Urbanization and its remedies) and GS Paper III (Environment and Disaster Management). Aspirants should use this data to discuss the 'right to cool' and the necessity of integrating blue-green infrastructure into smart city frameworks. It serves as a prime example of how environmental degradation intersects with social equity and public health policy.