Ahmedabad, a western Indian city increasingly plagued by extreme heat, is implementing innovative solutions to help vulnerable communities cope. Residents of the low-income neighborhood Vanzara Vas are participating in a year-long study, wearing smartwatches that track vital signs and sleep patterns, while researchers monitor health data and indoor temperatures. Some homes have been painted with reflective paint to test the cooling effect, which has already shown to improve sleep for some residents. This initiative is part of a global project studying heat impacts in impoverished areas in Mexico, Burkina Faso, and Niue. Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating deadly heat events, particularly in poor regions. Following a heatwave in 2010 that caused nearly 1,300 excess deaths in Ahmedabad, local authorities implemented a heat action plan. Researchers now hope their findings will promote wider adoption of solutions like cool roofs and influence policymaking to protect exposed populations.
