Full Breakdown
Heat-Driven Challenges in India’s April–May 2024 Regional Elections
4/25/2026, 10:59:25 AM
Heat-Stricken Election Cycle
From 9 April to 29 April 2024, regional elections took place in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry. Temperatures often topped 38 °C, and the India Meteorological Department issued heat-wave warnings for most Kerala districts. Campaigns shifted to early mornings and evenings, yet large rallies still caused giddiness, breathlessness and dehydration, with candidates and workers reporting fainting, sunburn and hospitalisation.
Climate Context
The 2024 national election earlier that year coincided with one of India’s strongest heatwaves, with estimates of 360-700 heat-related deaths. Analysts warn that rising temperatures are turning occasional heat stress into a persistent public-health crisis. In West Bengal, 61.7 % of respondents said they knew someone who died in a heatwave.
Data and Statistics
HeatWatch recorded 20 suspected heat-related deaths in the 2024-2025 election cycle across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and West Bengal; 17 occurred when the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) exceeded 38 °C. Yellow heat-wave alerts covered 12 of Kerala’s 14 districts during voting. Media reports noted tens of thousands of heat-stroke cases and hundreds of fatalities in the 2024 general election, while Assam’s humid summer prolonged dangerous heat into July.
Official Statements & Responses
The Election Commission said it does not monitor campaign activities, leaving heat advisories to state chief election officers. Tamil Nadu’s chief election commissioner Archana Patnaik outlined a checklist requiring shade, water, shelter and medical aid at public meetings. Climate council member G Sundarrajan criticised the lack of a ban on afternoon rallies, and NRDC India’s Abhiyant Tiwari urged mandatory monitoring beyond voluntary advisories.
Criticism & Opposition
HeatWatch founder Apekshita Varshney warned that without systematic mortality data, authorities cannot act. Doctor Kalpana Mahanta noted frequent giddiness and dehydration at large gatherings. Trinamool Congress vice-president Jayaprakash Majumdar dismissed climate concerns, saying turnout depends on political conditions, not weather. Activists also argue that hats, umbrellas or coconut water do not address the core health risk.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Election Commission does not maintain official data on heat-related illnesses or deaths during elections, creating a gap between media-reported fatalities of 360-700 and the 20 cases documented by NGOs. Heat-wave alerts were absent in five of the thirteen locations where deaths occurred, indicating inconsistent warning issuance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “People start getting rashes and fatigue if we’re outside after 11.30 am,” — Jayesh M, CPI(M) worker
- “We see giddiness, breathlessness, and dehydration every time there is a large gathering,” — Kalpana Mahanta, doctor, Guwahati
- “What you cannot count, you cannot act on,” — Apekshita Varshney, founder, HeatWatch
- “Turnout depends on political conditions, not climate.” — Jayaprakash Majumdar, Trinamool Congress vice-president, West Bengal
What’s Next
The Election Commission has set up a task force to study heat impacts, but its report is pending. Experts recommend using UTCI forecasts in election planning, creating mandatory cooling zones at rallies, and imposing temperature thresholds that halt outdoor voting when risks rise. The next state elections later in 2024 will test these proposals.
