India is drastically undercounting the number of people dying from extreme heat, and official warnings are failing to capture the true risks, according to a new report released by HeatWatch.

The report, "Struck by Heat: A News Analysis of Heatstroke Deaths in India 2025," found that at least 84 suspected heat-related deaths were reported in the media between February and July this year. In contrast, official data obtained by the Press Trust of India through a Right to Information request showed only 14 confirmed heatstroke deaths and 7,192 suspected cases between March 1 and June 24, according to the National Centre for Disease Control.

Researchers said the gap reflects systemic undercounting, with many fatalities mislabeled as "cardiac arrest" or "stroke" due to limited awareness and use of updated forensic protocols.

"This summer has shown us that India's heat crisis is structural, not just seasonal," said Apekshita Varshney, founder of HeatWatch and co-author of the report. "Incremental fixes won't cut it. We urgently need robust, hyperlocal monitoring and enforceable worker protections so that this cycle of preventable loss does not repeat."

The analysis also criticised the India Meteorological Department's heatwave alerts, which are based mainly on air temperature. The alerts exclude Wet Bulb Globe Temperature -- a combined measure of heat and humidity widely used internationally to assess health risks. As a result, the report said, deaths were recorded in states such as Telangana, Gujarat and Maharashtra even on days when no official warnings were issued.

Hospitals, meanwhile, remain unprepared to handle surges in heatstroke patients, with shortages of trained staff and cooling equipment. Outdoor workers, who make up more than 90% of India's workforce, continue to labour in peak heat without shade, rest breaks or legal protections, the group said.

Other countries, including France, Japan and Singapore, have adopted health-centered heat alerts and enforceable workplace safety standards. India, by contrast, still relies on temperature-only thresholds and voluntary guidelines, HeatWatch noted.

The report called for sweeping reforms, including mandatory reporting of all heatstroke cases to a public registry, adoption of health-based alert systems, integration of weather and mortality data under one open-access platform, and national laws requiring shaded rest areas, hydration access and mid-day work bans during severe heat.

"We are recognizing the dangers of rising heat, but recognition alone isn't enough," said Shivani Das, a report co-author. "What's missing is a health-centered approach -- one that counts every case, prepares hospitals, protects workers and builds cooler cities."

India has endured increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with scientists warning that climate change is driving up both temperatures and humidity levels, putting millions at risk.

Report finds India severely undercounts heat deaths, warns of gaps in public health response