CHANDIGARH, 04.06.26-Considering the increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves, the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh, observed World Heat Action Day and Environment Day 2026 under the global theme “Indoor Heat.” This event brought together specialists from clinical medicine, public health, environmental health, and meteorology to discuss evidence-based approaches to reducing heat-related illnesses and building community resilience.

Prof. Arun Kumar Aggarwal, Head of the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health at PGIMER Chandigarh, inaugurated the session and emphasized the need to document successful practices, based on evidence, to enhance the reduction of public health risks through effective climate adaptation strategies. He further added that generating evidence relevant to local contexts and translating it into models that can be used at a larger scale is important for guiding preparedness and response efforts across health systems.

Keynote speaker and Director of the India Meteorological Department, Chandigarh, Shri Surender Paul, emphasized the significance of weather forecasting and early warning systems for mitigating the negative effects of extreme heat.He highlighted that, compared to the last decade, the frequency of heatwave days has increased by a factor of 4. He emphasized that the meteorological department is focusing on the early warning system to disseminate information through the SACHET and MAUSAM Applications as risk-reduction strategies.

The talk by Prof. Ravindra Khaiwal focused on how we can build heat-resilient communities in India. He stressed that heatwaves are often considered an outdoor problem, but indoor conditions can also stay dangerously hot for long periods, creating significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups that include children, older adults, pregnant women, individuals with ongoing health issues, and households with low income. Hence, there is a need to focus on protecting the vulnerable population, as heatwave-related mortality is significantly high among them, by providing proper social and infrastructure support. He also stated that we can minimize the effects of increasing temperatures, known as the Urban Heat Island, by adopting nature-based solutions and sustainable urban planning for Blue-Grey-Green infrastructure.

Discussing the clinical effects of heat exposure, Dr. Ashish Behera,Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at PGIMER Chandigarh, remarked that extreme heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, and can worsen conditions related to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and kidney systems. He emphasized that heat-related illness often begins with non-specific symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, dehydration, and muscle cramps, but can rapidly progress to life-threatening complications. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion during periods of extreme heat and prioritize rapid cooling, fluid replacement, and early intervention to prevent severe outcomes.

Dr. Bijaya K. Padhi, Associate Professor,mentioned that awareness, preparation, and community engagement are essential for protecting at-risk populations from the health effects of heat. He highlighted the importance of collaboration across multiple sectors among public health professionals, urban planners, meteorologists, healthcare providers, policymakers, and local communities to address the growing problem of indoor and outdoor heat.

The event ended with a call for ongoing research on climate change, rapid urban growth, and changes in buildings, which are increasing the likelihood of heat-related health problems. Prof. Khaiwal, while suggesting solutions, urged promoting cool roofs, ventilation, heat-health action plans, and urban greening, with strengthened intersectoral data integration and evidence-based initiatives to raise public awareness, reduce heat exposure, and protect community health.