India, June 16 -- Heatwaves in India may have intensified ground-level ozone exposure linked to more than 26,500 deaths in 2024, an IIT Kharagpur-led study says.

The study linked ozone exposure during heatwaves to 15,615 deaths from ischaemic heart disease and 10,898 deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Surface ozone levels during heatwaves frequently rose to 85-110 micrograms per cubic metre, exceeding WHO guidelines across all Indian regions.

The worst-affected hotspots included north-west India, the Indo-Gangetic Plain, north-central India, the north-east and the western Himalaya.

Researchers say India's Heat Action Plans must include ozone forecasting, air-quality health advisories and combined climate-air pollution ...