Ahmedabad has been ranked among the world’s most vulnerable cities when it comes to heat risk, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford.
The study placed Ahmedabad second on a global heat-risk index, with a composite risk score of 0.79. Only Basrah, Iraq, ranked higher with a score of 0.83.
Among Indian cities, Ahmedabad recorded the highest heat-risk score. Other Indian cities listed in the study include Bhopal (0.75), Patna (0.73), Madurai (0.73), Jaipur (0.70), Bengaluru (0.69), Hyderabad (0.68), Lucknow (0.68), Kanpur (0.67), Pune (0.66), Kolkata (0.66), Chennai (0.64), and Mumbai (0.63).
The research, titled “Moving Beyond Exposure: A Globally Comparable Framework for Heat Risk Assessment in Cities,” was conducted by researchers Nethmi Jayaratne Kariyawasam, Jesus Lizana, and Radhika Khosla. The paper has been released online as a preprint for the journal Sustainable Cities and Society.
According to the researchers, traditional heat-risk assessments focus mainly on exposure to high temperatures. However, their new composite framework takes a broader approach by considering multiple factors, including hazard exposure, social vulnerabilities, and a city’s coping and infrastructure capacity.
The findings show that more than 95% of the cities identified as having the highest heat risk are located in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite Ahmedabad’s high ranking, the study also highlighted the city’s efforts to reduce the impact of extreme heat. Researchers noted that Ahmedabad has been addressing the threat through well-coordinated heat action plans.
The study pointed to several measures adopted by the city, including an advanced early warning system, public awareness campaigns, improved health-system preparedness, and targeted interventions such as cool roofs in low-income neighbourhoods.
According to the report, these initiatives have helped Ahmedabad achieve significant reductions in heat-related mortality, demonstrating that effective planning and preparedness can reduce the dangers posed by rising temperatures.
Also Read: Ahmedabad Heat Breaks Records: 53 Of 56 Summer Days Cross 40°C https://www.vibesofindia.com/ahmedabad-heat-breaks-records-53-of-56-summer-days-cross-40c/
