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Climate Change

and Health

An Emerging Crisis for India and the North-East

Lt Col (Dr) Pranab Bhuyan
Assistant Medical Superintendent
State Cancer Institute, Guwahati

limate change has evolved from an Heatwaves are also becoming more humid,
environmental concern into one of the reducing the body’s ability to cool itself and further
Cgreatest public health challenges of the increasing health risks.
twenty-first century. The World Health Organization The North-Eastern region faces unique
identifies it as the single largest threat to human vulnerabilities due to its fragile ecosystems, hilly
health, with rising temperatures, extreme weather terrain and climatic sensitivity. Erratic rainfall,
events, changing rainfall patterns, worsening air recurrent floods, landslides and environmental
quality and ecological disruption increasingly degradation increasingly disrupt access to
influencing disease patterns, healthcare delivery healthcare, safe water, sanitation and food
and population health. India, with its vast supplies. Flooding in the Brahmaputra and
population, climatic diversity and socioeconomic Barak river basins contributes to higher rates of
vulnerabilities, is among the countries most
exposed to these impacts.
According to projections by the Ministry of
Earth Sciences, India is expected to experience
rising temperatures alongside more frequent
heatwaves, floods, droughts, cyclones and
extreme precipitation events. These changes are
already affecting millions and placing increasing
pressure on healthcare systems. Nearly 57% of
Indian districts, home to over three-fourths of the
population, face high or very high risk from extreme
heat.
One of the most immediate consequences is the
growing burden of heat-related illnesses. Extreme
heat affects cardiovascular, respiratory, renal
and neurological functions, causing dehydration,
heat exhaustion, heat stroke, acute kidney injury
and increased mortality. Children, older adults,
pregnant women, outdoor workers and people
with chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable.

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