Changing climate: Ahmedabad Women Combatting the Lethal Heat

Seema Mali finds herself in a dire situation, defenseless against the relentless heat of a changing climate. Her livelihood, crafting fresh flower garlands year-round, has been severely impacted by the scorching temperatures, with her summer income plummeting by as much as 30% over the past 8 to 10 years.

India is grappling with increasingly hot weather, breaking records in March and May consistently. Last year, 2023, marked the country’s second warmest year on record since 1901, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In 2022, there were 280 heat-wave days across states from March to May, the highest in over a decade. The IMD has issued warnings for a warmer-than-normal summer in 2024, with more heatwave days anticipated.

In 2014, women residing in 159 urban slums in Ahmedabad raised alarms about extreme heat, surpassing their usual concerns about access to water, sanitation, and housing. Siraz Hirani, a senior program manager at the Mahila Housing Trust (MHT), noted the rising impact of climate change-related issues such as heat, flooding, and mosquito infestations.

Ahmedabad, located in Western India, has witnessed soaring temperatures, reaching a peak of 45.8°C in 2022. A record-breaking temperature of 48°C was recorded in May 2016, while May 2010 saw a deadly heatwave with temperatures touching 46.8°C, resulting in a significant increase in deaths compared to previous years.

The Ahmedabad Municipality Corporation (AMC) responded to these challenges by introducing the Heat Action Plan in 2013, the first of its kind in South Asia. Women in Ahmedabad’s slums, engaged in various home-based occupations such as tailoring, embroidery, and snack-making, play a vital role in supporting their families financially.

However, the poor living conditions in these slums exacerbate their vulnerability to extreme weather events. Many households, like Seema Mali’s in Odni Chawl, lack proper ventilation, with one-room homes and metal sheet roofs providing minimal protection from the scorching sun.

Nimaben Harishbhai, another resident, operates her sewing machine in a cramped 8×4-square-foot room behind her home, highlighting the challenges faced by slum dwellers in Ahmedabad.

In Gujarat, where 1.68 million people live in slums, Ahmedabad ranks among the cities with the highest slum populations. Despite these figures being based on the 2011 census, it’s evident that slum dwellers continue to confront the harsh realities of inadequate living conditions amidst a changing climate.

_{Repurposed article originally published in ips news.}