Hyderabad Heatwave Impacts Sleep, Mental Health, and Wages of Urban Poor

A recent survey conducted by the Helping Hand Foundation reveals that extreme heat in Hyderabad during April and May is severely affecting the urban poor, particularly migrant laborers and informal workers. The study, which included over 1,000 respondents from various low-income settlements, found that more than 80% experienced sleep disturbances due to high nighttime temperatures. Specifically, 27.14% reported frequent disruptions, while 8.04% were unable to sleep at all during peak heat periods. The psychological impact was also significant, with nearly 70% stating that heat affected their mood and behavior, and over 25% reporting frequent emotional distress. Beyond health concerns, the heatwave imposes a heavy economic burden on informal workers, who constitute nearly 90% of the workforce. These individuals face prolonged exposure to harsh conditions, leading to reduced productivity and wage losses. The findings highlight extreme heat as a growing social, mental health, and economic crisis in densely populated urban areas, underscoring the vulnerability of marginalized communities to climate-related challenges in Hyderabad.