Early Onset of Summer in Hyderabad Linked to Urban Heat Island Effect
Hyderabad:
Hyderabad is witnessing the early arrival of summer due to the growing Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, where buildings, roads, and concrete structures trap heat, making urban areas significantly hotter than surrounding rural regions. This was highlighted during a recent urban heat data jam held in the city.
The event titled “Urban Heat in Hyderabad” was organised by Oorvani Foundation’s data portal Open City in collaboration with Uncharted Science, IIIT-Hyderabad, Climate Front Telangana, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), and Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society.
Rising Heatwaves and Increasing Concretisation
Participants noted that Hyderabad’s summers are worsening each year, with heatwaves beginning as early as February and early March. Rapid concretisation and shrinking green cover are intensifying the urban heat island effect, causing temperatures to soar.
Five teams analysed specific city wards and found that social and economic status often determines how much heat residents endure, highlighting climate inequality within the city.
Ward-wise Observations
- Hitech City:
In densely populated Hitech City, temperatures have previously touched 50°C. While dust and construction particles slightly mask daytime heat spikes, nighttime temperatures are steadily increasing, preventing the area from cooling down. - Uppal:
A significant loss of greenery over the past decade has directly contributed to rising surface temperatures, particularly in residential and industrial zones. - Borabanda:
In low-income areas where nearly 70% of the population lives in slums, residents lack cooling infrastructure such as parks, shaded areas, and public sanitation facilities. This makes economically weaker communities the most vulnerable to extreme heat. - Gachibowli:
Several roads lack adequate tree cover and shade, with surface temperatures recorded as high as 45°C. These extreme conditions also affect street animals like dogs, cows, cats, and birds, which are physiologically unable to tolerate such heat. - Jawaharnagar:
Around the landfill area, temperatures have steadily risen over the last decade, even as residential developments continue to expand nearby.
Heat as a Question of Justice
Speaking at the event, John Michael from Climate Front Telangana said,
“Urban heat and ecological degradation are not just environmental issues. They are questions of justice. Communities such as waste pickers, informal workers, and residents living near landfills and waste-to-energy plants face the harshest impacts of climate stress every day.”
Vaidya R, Program Lead – Data at Oorvani Foundation, added that this was their first data jam in Hyderabad and praised participants for applying mapping and data science skills to address civic challenges. He emphasised that the government should tap into this wealth of knowledge to build climate-resilient policies.
Growing Need for Climate-Responsive Urban Planning
The discussions underscored the urgent need for increasing green cover, improving cooling infrastructure in low-income neighbourhoods, and adopting climate-responsive urban planning strategies to mitigate the urban heat island effect in Hyderabad.
As temperatures continue to rise earlier each year, experts warn that without immediate intervention, the city’s vulnerable communities will bear the brunt of worsening climate stress.