The Migration Story’s Post

Our coverage on the impact of heatwaves on informal workers continues. Check out this special 'By Invitation' on The Migration Story where Greepeace India's Selomi Garnaik and Amruta S N use data and research observations to call for heat mitigation plans that are mindful of the informal workers. A must read! #migration #extremeheat #delhiheatwave #informalworkers #migrantworkers

As people in other parts of India enjoyed splashing around during Holi and washing off colors with long showers, in Bengaluru, things aren't looking so bright on the water front. The water crisis is getting worse with each passing day. 22 families were fined for using drinking water to wash cars and tend to their gardens. And to tackle the water crisis, IT companies stepped up, letting around 15 lakh employees work from home. It's a move to help manage resources better and even lighten the city's population load a bit. But the reality is harsh: Bengaluru is thirstier than ever, with a shortage of a whopping 500 million liters of water every day. And as if that's not enough, the city's population keeps growing, only adding to the strain on our water sources. The BWSSB admits it's partly due to relying too heavily on the Cauvery River and not managing our water resources well enough. It's a wake-up call, not just for Bengaluru but for all of us. Let's start taking our environment seriously. Whether it's cutting back on water use and waste, sorting out our trash, or ditching the non-eco-friendly stuff, every little bit counts. So, let's roll up our sleeves and make a change for the better, starting right here in our own city. #watercrisis #globalwarming #siliconvalleyofindia #bengaluruwatercrisis #indianews #savewater #india #bharat #bengaluru

☀Extreme heat waves have become an annual phenomenon due to climate change in South Asian megacities, causing severe health issues and even deaths. A research article by Debnath et al. (2023) evaluated 29 years (1990–2019) of historical data on heat stress in ten selected megacities—New Delhi, Dhaka, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chittagong, and Pune—in India and Bangladesh. 🌍Using heat index (HI) and environmental stress index (ESI) analyses, the article evaluated stress and vulnerability. The results showed New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Chennai in India; Dhaka and Chittagong in Bangladesh were already experiencing an elevated number of hours of “danger” levels of heat stress, which may lead to heat cramps, exhaustion, stroke, and even death. Some key findings of the article are as below: 💊Impact on Productivity and Health: Workers exposed to high temperatures are at risk of heat-related illnesses, leading to productivity losses and increased healthcare costs. Evidence suggests substantial productivity reductions in industries such as agriculture and construction, particularly among informal workers with limited access to sick leave or compensation. 🌍Implications for GDP and SDG Progress: Heat stress could exacerbate economic disparities and hinder progress towards SDGs related to poverty reduction, food security, inequality, and decent work. Projections indicate significant declines in GDP under various temperature rise scenarios, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive mitigation strategies. 📋Reasons for Heat Stress and Recommendations: Factors contributing to heat stress include climate change, urbanization, unplanned development, and inadequate infrastructure. Recommendations include implementing heat action plans, reducing urban heat islands, promoting planned urban development, addressing climate migration, and improving data collection to inform evidence-based policies. Read Full-Text: https://lnkd.in/gYyVXFFr #HeatStress #ClimateChange #UrbanHeatIsland #HealthImpacts #SDG #UrbanPlanning #HeatActionPlan #GreenInfrastructure #SAIST

Facing more illness, with less income, India's poorest workers - from market vendors to maids, teachers to door-to-door saleswomen - are really struggling with extreme heat Don't miss Bhumika Saraswati's moving photos and Aradhna Wal's great reporting Climate Resilience for All #India #women #extremeheat #climatechange

#HeatWaves, increasingly frequent, cause more than discomfort; they threaten economic stability by impacting #Agriculture, energy demands, and labor productivity. Agriculture faces reduced yields and higher prices, straining rural purchasing power and overall productivity. The surge in power consumption stresses India's energy grid, risking blackouts and increasing #GreenhouseGas emissions due to higher coal use. Labor productivity drops significantly, with heat-exposed workers losing substantial working hours (according to McKinsey & Company, lost labor from rising heat and humidity could put up to 4.5% of India's GDP at risk by the end of the decade).These combined effects jeopardize India's GDP growth and highlight the urgent need for measures to mitigate rising temperatures' impacts. In addition to economic losses, heatwaves have severe social and health consequences. Recent record-breaking heatwaves in Delhi have disproportionately affected low-income groups, particularly the homeless and those lacking safe and secure housing. Vulnerable populations, including older persons, women, persons with disabilities, and children, face severe challenges. This survey highlights the wide-ranging difficulties these groups encounter and emphasizes the urgent need for emergency measures to protect their lives. A must-read. #climatechange

Climate change is reshaping the lives of street vendors in India. Extreme weather conditions, such as scorching heatwaves and unpredictable monsoons, directly affect their health and drastically reduce their daily sales. These challenges not only threaten their livelihoods but also disrupt urban economies. Upfront supports these vendors by imparting knowledge on #climateresilience and financial management practices, such as integrating them into social protection schemes to build their resilience. This helps them manage their health expenses, adapt to the digital economy, have access to affordable housing schemes, and build long-term financial resilience to invest in their health and wellbeing. Join us in supporting #streetvendors to ensure their vital role in sustaining vibrant urban economies. https://upfront.global/ National Hawker Federation | Community Action Collab #financialinclusion #climatechange

Extreme weathers are becoming dangerous to humans especially to urban poor. India is breaking all records of high temperatures nd increasing numbers of heatwaves days every year. Impact of heatwaves on urban poor or homeless persons are affecting their daily livelihoods which is a major red flag.

With a daily income of merely $3, no source of drinking water and no permanent roof to seek respite under from this scathing heat are some of the reasons responsible for the plight of homeless people in and around Delhi NCR. Not only is the heat tormenting people during the day, making it difficult to work, it is also making it impossible for them to sleep at night with the tin shelters heating up and fans only circulating warm air inside those shelters. The recent report by Housing and Land Rights Network, India highlights the contributors behind the rising urban heat and its impact on people living without permanent homes. The report also highlights how the government fails to provide enough protection and shelter in summers when compared to winters. I believe we as individuals and organizations must do as much as we can to be of help to people around us. A step as small as providing pedestrians with drinking water can go a long way. With this unprecedented levels of heat, even animals are suffering. Keeping a large bowl filled with water at accessible places can help animals and birds survive this harsh weather. Lastly, I urge everyone reading this post to acknowledge the dearth of this issue and at least start a conversation around the topic. We may not be able to do much individually to end this plight, but we can make sure that the issue echoes and reaches the attention of the concerned authorities who can in fact aid them properly. #housingrights #heatwaves #climatechange #urbanpoor #shelterhomes #voiceforchange #riseforchange

Temperature soars in Delhi's outskirts, impacting health in Najafgarh and beyond As temperatures soar in Delhi, several areas like Najafgarh and Mungeshpur are facing severe heatwave conditions and temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius on a daily basis that are affecting the health of residents with experts saying the reasons for the rising mercury in these areas range from lack of greenery and direct sunlight. #Temperature | #Delhioutskirts | #Health | #Najabgarh | #Heatwave | #Conditons | #Mercury | #Greenery | #Directsunlight | #Healthofresidents | #Healthnews Read more: