Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged citizens across India to remain vigilant and take preventive measures against heat-related illnesses as large parts of the country continue to experience an intense and prolonged heatwave marked by soaring temperatures.
In a series of posts on the social media platform X, Modi advised people to stay hydrated, carry water while outdoors, and look after others affected by the severe weather conditions. He stressed that simple acts of kindness, including offering drinking water to those in need, could make a significant difference during the extreme heat.
The Indian prime minister also warned people to recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, including dizziness, nausea, severe fatigue, headaches, and weakness. He urged citizens to immediately move affected individuals to cool or shaded places and provide water or oral rehydration solutions (ORS) to prevent serious health complications.
Modi emphasized that children, elderly people, and outdoor workers such as construction laborers, delivery workers, and service providers are among the most vulnerable groups facing the dangerous weather conditions. Temperatures in several parts of India have climbed to nearly 47 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit), creating extremely difficult conditions for millions who rely on daily wages for survival, according to news agencies.
The appeal comes as hospitals in various regions continue to report increasing admissions linked to heatstroke symptoms. Indian media reports also highlighted worsening water shortages in several cities and villages, while authorities in the southern state of Telangana confirmed that at least 16 people had died amid hundreds of reported heatstroke cases nationwide. Weather experts have warned that a strong El Niño phenomenon expected in 2026 could further intensify temperatures across the country.
Modi additionally called on citizens to show compassion toward birds and animals struggling in the heat, encouraging people to place bowls of water outside homes, balconies, offices, and shops. According to weather-monitoring platform AQI.IN, India accounted for the world’s 70 hottest cities on Wednesday afternoon, underlining the severity of the ongoing heatwave gripping the country.
