As the world attracts its attention to carbon emissions and rise in global temperature, a quiet is still a disastrous health crisis in rural India, a one that is deeply connected with climate change, but is rarely accepted.

From heat-inspired stroke and kidney failure to mental crisis, experts have warned that the human cost of extreme weather, especially on women, is growing rapidly.

“In the Center of Rural India, the rising heat is more than an inconvenience, it is a silent crisis that is rebuilding the health and welfare of the entire families,” said Neeraj Kudimoti, lead, climate action in rural India, a development design organization said.

Rising temperature, rising health risk

India experienced its February in more than a century in 2023, and has already seen heatwave warnings in many states in the summer of this year.

According to the Meteorological Department of India (IMD), many districts alone faced temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius in May.

With each passing summer, doctors are looking at a bounce in the stroke, especially between external workers.

“Recurring Heatwaves are triggering stroke even at young age. In deep rural pockets, climate change is a felt reality that affects livelihood, bodies and brains,” Shyamal Santra said, health and nutrition in rural India, Associate Director, Health and Nutrition.

Women are particularly weak. Kudrimoti explained how rural women, often involved in external agricultural labor and take care at home, suffer unprotected.

“The penis effects of heat stress are deep. Women often renounce their health and psychosis for their family,” she said.

The pair of bringing water takes a heavy toll in the event of burning burden, burning wood, and taking care of the elderly.

A 2024 report by the International Labor Organization (ILO) has shown that 2.41 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat worldwide, about 19,000 per annum.

The health effects of this exposure range from heat stroke and tiredness to summer rashes and physical injuries to heart and kidney disease.

Kidney failure and water crisis

Clean water access is deteriorating. As the water sources dry up or become salty, rural families are forced to rely on the contaminated supply.

“Chronic dehydration and high fluoride consumption from poor water sources are contributing to increasing cases of kidney failure,” Santra said.

These issues are particularly worrying in areas affected by drought-affected and floods where water quality is a frequent challenge.

A recent study published in the Journal of Climate Change and Health has shown that climate change response efforts in cities, often “often” climate-sensitive health challenges in rural areas of India, where residents have tolerated severe heat and air pollution, but have very few resources to be favorable. “

Mental Crisis: Silent Sorrow

The crisis does not end with physical health. Irregular weather and frequent crop failures are creating economic difficulties, causing climate-induced migration.

Men often go to cities in search of work, leaving women behind to bear emotional and financial burden. “This deepens anxiety, isolation and mental stress. It affects the overall welfare of the rural communities,” said Orange.

Kudarimoti shared a striking observation from the region: “as Sister Once said, unrealistic expectations from the cranky children and women in the house are a recipe for the crisis – ‘Work is not done, care is half given’. ,

‘Cooling should become a right’

Most rural homes lack access to fans, air-conditioning alone. The concept of cooling as public health requirement is still absent in policy discussions.

Kudimoti emphasized urgency, “This is a fundamental right, a ‘right to cool’, the time to identify the necessary for health, dignity and gender equity.”

He suggested solutions such as community cooling space, climate-flexible housing, broad tree planting, and decentralized cooling technologies powered by renewable energy.

“We should focus the voices of women in climate adaptation strategies to lift this hidden toll of summer,” he said.

Orange said that beyond carbon, climate action is about people, strengthening local ecosystems, supporting women’s colleges and routing solutions in dignity and care.

Since India faces more frequent and acute heatweaves, it is important to identify how climate change is affecting people, especially women, so that better solutions are to be created for all.