India faces early summer heatwave and potential food price rise

India is experiencing a hot start to summer 2025. Several states have recorded heatwaves already, with some areas facing warm nights. The Meteorological Department predicts temperatures will rise even more in the coming days. March and May are typically summer months in India. However, states like Goa and Maharashtra saw their first heatwave in late February, marking a historic event. The Met defines a heatwave as when temperatures reach at least 40 degrees Celsius or are five degrees above normal. This February was the hottest in 125 years. Looking ahead, the Met forecasts more heatwaves this summer. They expect higher nightly temperatures too, although they did not confirm if this summer will break 2024's record heat. Experts predict a rise in peak power demand by 10% in May. Recently, Boudh in Odisha recorded a high of 43.6 degrees Celsius. The heat may impact food production and prices. While wheat-growing areas seem safe, vegetable crops could be at risk as temperatures soar. Last summer, vegetable prices spiked by 27%, contributing to high food inflation. Economically, a hot summer may boost sales of air conditioners, refrigerators, and cold drinks. A Coca-Cola bottler expects a 20% increase in sales. Meanwhile, outdoor workers are at significant risk from the heat. Last summer, India reported over 40,000 heatstroke cases, leading to 733 deaths across 17 states. Cities tend to be hotter due to the heat island effect. Concrete buildings absorb heat, and tall structures trap hot air. High temperatures combined with humidity can disrupt the body's cooling process, leading to severe health risks.