Bhubaneswar to record two-fold increase in heatwave days by 2030

Bhubaneswar, along with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Surat, Thane, Hyderabad, and Patna, is rapidly emerging as one of India’s most climate-vulnerable cities.

A new national-level report warning that the Odisha capital city is on track to record a two-fold increase in heatwave days by 2030 due to a deadly combination of heatwaves, extreme humidity, and erratic rainfall.

The findings, released by IPE Global, Esri India, and reported by The Hindustan Times, place Bhubaneswar among the top tier of Indian cities likely to experience a two-fold rise in heatwave days, making daily life harsher and far more hazardous in the years ahead.

Double Tragedy: Heatwaves and Flooding

According to the report, Bhubaneswar is expected to record twice the number of heatwave days by 2030 compared to 1980.

This escalation will not only bring soaring temperatures but also trigger frequent and erratic rain events, increasing the risk of flash floods. Across India, the intensity of extreme rainfall is projected to rise by 43%, making conditions in cities like the Temple Town simultaneously hotter and wetter.

In fact, the last decade alone saw a 19-fold increase in extreme heat days in India, with extended summer-like conditions now creeping well into the monsoon season. The climate report noted that urban centres like Bhubaneswar will bear the brunt of climate extremes, including cyclones, heatwaves, and torrential rains.

Heat and Humidity: A Deadly Mix

Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar is already one of the most humid cities in India, with 2022 data showing peak humidity at 99.1%, second only to Patna. IMD readings from April 2024 showed humidity levels touching 96% even during non-monsoon nights, while daytime temperatures crossed 40 degrees Celsius, pushing heat index values to dangerous levels.

The city’s rapid urban expansion is significantly worsening its climate profile. A study in the Current World Environment Journal found that Bhubaneswar’s land surface temperature jumped from 36.4 degrees Celsius in 1990 to 43.2 degrees Celsius in 2020.

Unless swift, science-based adaptation measures are adopted, Bhubaneswar, counted as India’s first smart city, could become a case study in how not to handle urban climate vulnerability.