The summers in India are not a light-hearted affair. Between March and June the state becomes a scorching oven, the sun is in command and the mercy appears to be a mirage. Indian summers can be a living hell, with the temperatures usually exceeding 40 C (104 F) and humidity that is thick as a second skin. Now, it is time to understand why this season can break millions of people and how people survive the unbearable heat.
The Blistering Truth
Summer in most parts of India is equivalent to scorching heatwaves under which it is like walking into an oven once one steps out. Delhi, Jaipur, Nagpur and other cities often record temperatures of more than 45 o C (113 o F), and even in the countryside, people have to deal with dry and dusty winds. Alerts about heatwaves are frequently issued by the India Meteorological Department, and the warnings have concerned health hazards such as heatstroke and dehydration. There were record-breaking temperatures in northern India in 2024, with some regions reaching 50 C (122 F), which strained humans and infrastructure to the limit.The urban heat island effect exacerbates this in cities. Cities are concrete jungles and the absence of green areas intensifies the heat. Power cuts, which are common during summer, paralyze air conditioners and fans, and people are left at the mercies of the elements. Summers are not only unpleasant but also life-threatening, particularly, to those who do not have access to cooling devices, especially in rural or economically weaker sections.
The Humidity Havoc
In case of the heat being insufficient, coastal areas such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata provide an extra dose of the oppressive heat. It is so humid that sweating is a useless action and every step is heavy. This sticky misery is extended by monsoon delays, which are increasingly frequent because of climate change. Nights are not much of a relief because the temperature hardly falls to a level that would bring relief.
Life in the Inferno
Every day, the prisoners are led to the fields to work. They are not allowed to leave the fields until they have finished the work. The work is to be done with great care. The prisoners are then taken back to the prison.
Summers are a nuisance to all spheres of life. It is an endurance test to travel to work and back; be it a non-air-conditioned bus that is full or roads that are hot like a skillet. Outside employees, such as construction laborers, street vendors, etc., are the worst affected, sweating in the hot sun with little source of shade or water. There are cases where schools are closed down and productivity becomes low due to the lethargy. Even the basic things such as cooking or sleeping become the Herculean tasks when the air itself begins to feel as it is burning.
Dealing with the Heat
Indians have learnt to survive the summer onslaught in ingenious ways. The old-fashioned cures such as sipping on cooling drinks- imagine nimbu pani (lemonade), aam panna (raw mango drink) or buttermilk- are effective in cooling down. Rural houses usually have natural insulation using mud walls and thatched roofs. City people on the other hand swear by cotton garments, frequent baths and the life saving hum of air conditioners (when the power grid is cooperative).Community wisdom is evident in things like chilling wet towels on the windows or by using earthen pots to store naturally cooled water. Festivals such as the Holi, which usually herald the beginning of summer, are fun with water and colors, but only temporarily, since the heat is soon to follow.
The Greater Perspective
India is experiencing hotter summers that are becoming an enemy. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense as temperatures are rising and weather patterns become erratic worldwide. Urbanization and deforestation can only make the situation worse, by removing natural cooling systems. In a nation that has many people who rely on agriculture, long summer seasons also pose livelihoods as crops die and water sources dry.
Finding Solace
In the hellish conditions, Indians manage to adapt in a resilient and humorous way. In the social media, memes are circulating regarding enduring another Indian summer or the ever-longing monsoon. When the rains, long delayed, at last come, they are hailed as a godsend, and the cares of the season are swept away by the flood.
Conclusion
Indian summers are a test of patience, endurance and ingenuity. As much as the season presents us with unavoidable difficulties, it also demonstrates the unbreakable spirit of a billion plus individuals who, despite the heat, brave it with cold drinks, the power of the will and the prospect of an easier life. Managing to survive through an Indian summer is nonetheless an achievement until the monsoon comes.