1.5 million more people may die in India by 2100 due to extreme heat by climate change: Study

Around 1.5 million more people may die in India each year due to extreme heat by 2100, a new study has found. The study conducted by Tata Centre for Development (TCD) at the University of Chicago, USA, and the Climate Impact Lab, which was released at UChicago Centre here on Thursday, said that continued high emissions of greenhouse gases are projected to lead to a four degree celsius rise in average annual temperature in India by 2100. “India is projected to see an increase of death rates due to climate change equal to about 10 per cent of the current death rate. That is 60 deaths per 1,00,000 population by the end of the century under the scenario of continued emissions,” the study said. It said that the average number of extremely hot days around the country, presently over 35 degree Celsius, are likely to increase by more than eight times per year to 42.8 degree Celsius.