Unveiling Heat Stress: Urban Indoor Temperature Crisis in Chennai
A study of 50 residential units in Chennai's urban neighborhoods, conducted between October 2025 and April 2026, finds indoor temperatures often exceeded 32 °C. Low-income homes face prolonged heat stress, exacerbated by structural materials, poor ventilation, and limited accessibility to air conditioning, affecting comfort and well-being.
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- India
In a detailed study of Chennai's urban pockets, findings reveal a worrying trend of soaring indoor temperatures, frequently surpassing 32 degrees Celsius. Conducted by Climate Trends, the research examined 50 residential units over six months, spotlighting severe heat stress challenges faced by inhabitants, especially in low-income housing.
Highlighted in the report, indoor conditions during nighttime showed little respite, with temperatures scarcely dipping below 31 degrees and humidity levels persistently high, compounding discomfort. The research underscored structural factors, such as the widespread use of reinforced cement concrete (RCC), as major contributors to sustained heat exposure.
Naveen Puttaswamy from Sri Ramachandra Medical College emphasized the dual threats of heat and air quality people endure indoors. The study calls attention to the socio-economic implications, stressing the need for integrated approaches to mitigate the dire consequences of unchecked urban heat stress.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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