Hyderabad: Extreme summers are not only increasing heat-related illnesses but are also majorly affecting residents of urban slums and informal settlements in Hyderabad. A survey was recently conducted across 15 to 20 urban settlements in the city by a Hyderabad-based non-profit, Helping Hand Foundation (HHF), which also works with the Telangana health department in govt hospitals.The survey covered more than 1,000 respondents, mostly migrant labourers living in Kalapathar, Shaheen Nagar, Hasan Nagar, Pahadi Shareef, Jalpally, Kishanbagh, Chintalmet, MM Pahadi and several other low-income colonies located on the city’s outskirts.Telangana is reeling under intense summer conditions, with heatwave conditions reported across all 33 districts and temperatures regularly exceeding 43°C to 45°C. Several northern districts have already recorded temperatures touching 46°C by mid-May. Meanwhile, the findings revealed widespread sleep deprivation, anxiety, emotional distress, productivity loss and wage reduction linked to prolonged heat exposure during April and May.The survey showed that extreme summer heat is severely affecting sleep, mental well-being, and work productivity. More than 80% of respondents reported disturbed sleep during hot nights, with many saying they felt tired, irritated and unable to concentrate during the day. Only 9% said they were able to sleep normally during summer. Nearly 70% said the heat sometimes affected their mood and behaviour, while 25% reported frequent stress and emotional discomfort due to rising temperatures.The impact was also evident on livelihoods, with over 90% saying their productivity dropped during hot weather. Many workers struggled to complete physically demanding tasks, with average productivity rated at just 5.5 out of 10. The survey highlighted that poor housing conditions worsened the problem, as most respondents lived in semi-pucca homes with tin roofs that trap heat indoors. Most families relied only on fans, while very few had access to air conditioning.Moreover, water shortages, lack of shade, frequent power cuts and poor ventilation were identified as major factors intensifying heat stress in these communities. Mujtaba Hasan Askari from HHF said, “Informal workers, who make up nearly 90% of the workforce, bear the highest burden of heat exposure while also suffering the greatest income losses. The govt’s heat action plan should address housing, workplace safety and community infrastructure in vulnerable urban settlements,” he added.
