A heatwave alert means different scenarios for different people. For a family in a distant hamlet, it means surviving in scorching 40-degree Celsius heat without a fan at its disposal. In contrast, for an urban family, it could mean hitting minus on the AC remote hoping for the dry air to give them temporary respite before they step out in the heat once again.
In both scenarios, though, the harshest hand is drawn to those who are least responsible for this occurrence: children.
In the words of UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, “Children are not little adults. Their bodies are far more vulnerable to extreme heat. Young bodies heat up faster and cool down more slowly. Extreme heat is especially risky for babies due to their faster heart rate, so rising temperatures are even more alarming for children.” Following the heels of UNICEF’s new analysis that compares heatwave indicators and children’s exposure, Russell remarked “The hottest summer days now seem normal.” As daily wage labourers carry out arduous manual labour, traffic inspectors redirect vehicular traffic, and as working professionals make their way to their workspaces sweat glistening on their foreheads, her statement finds a stronger footing.
Yet, heatwaves bring with them an array of challenges for children. Challenges that are different and more intense from those of adults. As 1 in 5 children–or 466 million–live in areas that experience at least double the number of extremely hot days every year, it becomes important to highlight these challenges and bring about changes to soften the blow for children.
1. Heatwaves endanger children’s health
Heatwaves expose children to a wide range of serious health risks. Prolonged heat can lead to malnutrition, heat-related illnesses, and greater susceptibility to infectious diseases like malaria and dengue. For newborns and young children, extreme temperatures are linked to low birth weight, preterm birth, and developmental complications. Heat exposure also threatens children’s neurodevelopment and mental health, affecting their growth, learning, and overall well-being. As rising temperatures become more frequent, children — especially those from vulnerable communities — face increasing threats to their survival, health, and future opportunities.
2. Disrupted education ensues a vicious cycle
Rising temperatures and extreme heatwaves pose serious threats to children’s education and well-being. Heatwaves can damage school infrastructure, create unsafe and unhealthy learning environments, and affect students’ concentration, memory, and physical health. Prolonged disruptions often force children, especially in vulnerable communities, out of classrooms, increasing their risk of child labour, child marriage, and exploitation. Girls are disproportionately affected, facing higher chances of dropping out and exposure to gender-based violence. Despite the growing threat, schools remain largely ill-equipped to protect children from the impact of heatwaves, as investments in climate-resilient education infrastructure remain critically low.
3. Heatwaves hamper outdoor play
Heatwaves are increasingly robbing children in India of their right to play, a fundamental part of their well-being and development as recognized by Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Socio-economic inequalities already limit access to safe spaces for leisure, and now climate change — especially extreme heat — is further restricting outdoor play. Rising temperatures and record-breaking heatwaves are making it unsafe for children to spend time outside, leading to school closures and suspended activities. This not only disrupts their physical activity and social interactions but also poses serious long-term risks to their physical and mental health.
4. The burden of heat poverty
Extreme heatwaves in India are pushing vulnerable families into “heat poverty,” forcing them to take loans to buy air conditioners. In overcrowded slums, children suffer the worst—facing heat-related illnesses, missed school days, and long-term health risks. Rising temperatures, worsened by urban heat islands, make outdoor activities unsafe, impacting children’s physical and mental well-being. Many children experience dehydration, exhaustion, and reduced access to education during peak heat periods. As climate change intensifies, children from low-income families are increasingly trapped between life-threatening heat and deepening poverty.
5. Heatwaves undermine children’s mental health
Heatwaves not only threaten children’s physical health but also take a serious toll on their mental well-being. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties, such as poor concentration and memory loss. In vulnerable communities, the stress of unbearable heat, disrupted schooling, and unsafe outdoor environments worsen feelings of fear and helplessness among children. Limited access to safe, cool spaces can increase isolation and emotional distress. Over time, repeated heatwave exposure may lead to chronic stress, affecting children’s emotional development and resilience. As climate change accelerates, protecting children’s mental health becomes even more urgent.
