Why 100 cities, including Mathura, Muzaffarnagar, Jalandhar and Hisar, are heating up faster than rural areas

Cities such as Jalandhar, Bathinda, Patiala, Hisar, Rohtak, Mathura, Bijapur, Nanded, Akola, Muzaffarnagar, Shahjahanpur, Satna, and Gaya may witness temperature increases nearly double the projected global average.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal

Updated : 26 February 2026, 4:30 PM IST

Representational Image

New Delhi: Even before summer has officially begun, temperatures are soaring across several parts of India. On 16 February, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 31.6°C - the highest in the last five years for this period. Prayagraj touched 30°C on 13 February, while parts of Telangana reeled under heatwave-like conditions with temperatures between 34°C and 37°C.

Study Sounds Alarm

A new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has issued a stark warning: even if global warming is limited to 2°C - the upper threshold set under the Paris Agreement - small and medium-sized cities will experience disproportionately higher temperature increases. The key driver behind this surge is unplanned urban expansion.

50 Million People at Risk

Researchers examined 104 cities across Asia, Africa, West Asia, and the Americas, each with populations between 100,000 and 1 million — collectively home to over 50 million people.

The findings are alarming:

• With a 2°C rise in global temperatures, 81% of these cities will see daytime temperatures increasing faster than nearby rural areas.
• In some cities, the rise could exceed 3°C.
• Without considering the urban heat island effect, only three cities would see temperature increases above 3°C.
• When urban heat islands are factored in, that number jumps to 26 cities.

India Emerging as a Major Hotspot

India stands out as one of the most vulnerable regions. Urban temperatures in Indian cities could rise up to 45% more than surrounding rural areas.

Cities such as Jalandhar, Bathinda, Patiala, Hisar, Rohtak, Mathura, Bijapur, Nanded, Akola, Muzaffarnagar, Shahjahanpur, Satna, and Gaya may witness temperature increases nearly double the projected global average.

Heat Risk Spreading Nationwide

According to the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, nearly 76% of India’s population faces a very high risk from extreme heat.

• 417 districts fall under the high-risk category.
• 201 districts are classified as moderate risk.

Why Are Smaller Cities Heating Faster?

Experts point to several factors:

Rapid growth of concrete and asphalt surfaces that absorb and retain heat.

Shrinking green cover, reducing natural cooling.

High-density construction and poor ventilation between buildings.

Unplanned urban sprawl with limited climate-responsive design.

Concrete and asphalt trap heat during the day and release it slowly at night, preventing temperatures from dropping — a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect.

Are Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities Ready?

Infrastructure in many smaller cities is already under strain. Electricity supply, water availability, and healthcare services are limited — and prolonged heatwaves could worsen the crisis.

Many existing heat action plans rely on outdated global climate models that fail to adequately account for localized urban heat island effects.

What Needs to Be Done?

Experts emphasize that short-term measures are not enough. Long-term solutions must include:

• Climate-sensitive urban planning
• Cool roof initiatives
• Expansion of green spaces
• Community cooling centers
• Robust early warning systems

With summer still weeks away, the early surge in temperatures is a warning sign. Without urgent intervention, India’s growing cities could face a far more intense and prolonged heat crisis in the years ahead.