Beat the Heat: How Smartwatches are Transforming Life in [City Name], India

Ahmedabad’s Rising Heat: A Community’s Struggle

It’s a hot morning in Ahmedabad, India. As the sun climbs, the temperature soars. Sapnaben Chunara, a 30-year-old mother of three, is trying to escape the heat under a neem tree. She lives in Vanzara Vas, a neighborhood with about 800 families, where homes made of tin can trap heat, making indoors unbearable.

This year, the heatwaves began unusually early. In early April, temperatures reached 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 F), well above the norm. “Sometimes, it’s so hot I can’t think,” Sapnaben admits, her smartwatch contrasting with her colorful sari.

Sapnaben is part of a research project aiming to understand how extreme heat affects vulnerable communities. Over 200 residents wear smartwatches that monitor heart rate and sleep patterns. The study also involves painting roofs with reflective paint, designed to lower indoor temperatures in some homes.

Experts highlight that cities like Ahmedabad are facing deadly heatwaves. In 2010, nearly 1,300 excess deaths were linked to extreme temperatures. With climate change, it’s only getting worse. A recent study estimated that if global temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius, heat-related deaths could increase by 370%, particularly in South and Southeast Asia.

Abhiyant Tiwari, a climate expert, points out the stark “heat divide” between poorer and wealthier communities. Following the tragic events of 2010, Ahmedabad implemented a heat action plan to protect its citizens. It includes systems to alert residents of dangerous heat levels and prepare hospitals for related illnesses.

The past few years have marked record high temperatures worldwide. Research hopes to provide solutions to help those most affected.

The project isn’t limited to Ahmedabad. Similar studies are underway in communities in Burkina Faso, Niue, and Mexico’s Sonoran desert. Aditi Bunker, who leads the global initiative, notes that over 1.1 billion people live in informal settlements vulnerable to heat.

“Climate change is impacting lives. We need action,” she emphasizes.

The researchers in Ahmedabad are tracking health data closely. If reflective roofs prove effective, the aim is to paint roofs across all homes. “This could change lives,” says Sapnaben. For now, heat overwhelms many families, including her neighbor, Shantaben Vanzara, whose health problems have worsened. “After the roof was painted, we can sleep a few more hours,” she shares.

Sapnaben reflects on the weather. “It’s unpredictable now. The heat just keeps getting worse each year.”

The fight against rising temperatures continues, but with community efforts and research, there’s hope for better days ahead.

For a deeper understanding of climate change and its implications, you can read more in this study, which provides insights on global heat-related impacts.

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