Struck by heat: A news analysis of heatstroke deaths in India in 2025

This report examines heat-related mortalities in India in 2025 through a systematic review of media reports published between February and July 2025. Conducted by HeatWatch, it combines AI-assisted searches with manual collection, translation and analysis of national and regional-language news coverage to document heatstroke-related deaths and identify systemic patterns and vulnerabilities. The report analyses reported fatalities, longer and earlier heatwaves, policy gaps, state-level responses, and global practices in heat-health early warning systems and worker protection. It also reviews trends in heatwave mortality, wet-bulb temperature risks, institutional data challenges and occupational exposure.

The report documents 84 suspected heatstroke-related deaths, compared with 14 confirmed heat-related deaths reported in official figures between March and June 2025. It finds persistent shortcomings in heat alert systems, data collection, attribution of heat-related deaths, worker protections and health system preparedness.