The findings indicate that India, along with Pakistan, Nigeria, and Ghana, contains the highest concentration of high-risk locations.

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Sustainable Cities and Society has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating dangers of extreme heat in urban environments. Conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford, the analysis evaluates 205 major cities globally to determine where populations are most vulnerable to climate-driven temperature surges.

The findings indicate that India, along with Pakistan, Nigeria, and Ghana, contains the highest concentration of high-risk locations. Within the top 50 most vulnerable cities, 14 are in India, including Nagpur, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Madurai, Lucknow, and Kanpur. Iraq’s Al Basra and India’s Ahmedabad are identified as the world’s most at-risk cities.

According to lead author Neethmi Jayarathne Kariyawasam, the hazard is not defined by temperature alone. The study integrates demographic and socioeconomic factors, such as age, economic stability, and access to cooling infrastructure like air conditioning. Kariyawasam emphasizes that in many Asian and African cities, limited capacity to cope with heat creates life-threatening conditions.

Interestingly, the report clarifies that heat alone is not the sole indicator of total risk. Cities like Bangkok and Jeddah, while experiencing intense heat, are categorized as lower risk due to superior management systems. Conversely, the lack of natural environmental protections and inadequate cooling access exacerbates the danger elsewhere. This research serves as a critical call to action for urban planners to prioritize climate-resilient infrastructure rather than relying solely on energy-intensive cooling solutions that could further drive global temperatures upward.