Heatwaves are not just a health crisis, but also as a stress test for India's electricity grid and urban water systems. Researchers say India's power demand in 2026 is already exceeding projections as hot weather arrived earlier than usual after the world recorded its fifth warmest February on record. "Scaling clean energy quickly will be critical to meeting India's rising power demand reliably and affordably," said Agrawal. Extreme heat is also intensifying pressure on India's water systems, particularly in cities where freshwater supplies are limited. Several states and cities have begun preparing for rising heat and water demand.

Source: The Telegraph March 27, 2026 12:32 UTC