Extreme heat is no longer a future threat. It's here - and it’s costing us. From hospitals pushed to the brink, to cities built for a cooler planet, the toll is mounting on our bodies, our livelihoods and the systems meant to keep us safe.

Heat waves are deadly. As they grow more intense and frequent, their toll is mounting, from overwhelmed hospitals to lost labor hours. But countries can adapt to protect lives and the economy.

Prof. Rajib Dasgupta, in his latest op-ed for the Indian Express, highlights the Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and can aggravate underlying morbidities.