India’s hottest days are here, but the real concern goes beyond Nautapa

India’s annual ‘Nautapa’ period, traditionally considered the nine hottest days of the year, has once again highlighted the growing threat of extreme heat as large parts of the country grapple with soaring temperatures.

According to traditional belief, Nautapa begins when the Sun enters the Rohini Nakshatra and aligns over the Tropic of Cancer, bringing intense heat, dry winds and scorching daytime conditions.

However, environmental experts warn that what was once a short seasonal phase has evolved into a prolonged heat crisis. Rapid urbanisation, shrinking green cover, widespread concretisation, and the loss of natural ecological buffers are causing cities to retain heat for longer periods, extending the impact of extreme temperatures beyond the traditional nine-day cycle.

Experts say vulnerable groups, including street vendors, sanitation workers, waste pickers and daily wage labourers, face the greatest risk from heat stress. They stress the need for better preparedness, expanded heat action plans, increased green spaces, and long-term urban planning to help cities adapt to hotter and longer summers driven by climate change.