India, March 2 -- As India braces for a 'hotter-than-normal' summer with more heatwave days, vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and outdoor workers are at heightened risk, with potential repercussions for public health, water supplies, power demand, and essential services.

Highlighting the concerns of India's vulnerable segment, Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), told PTI Videos that access to cooling is not, and should not be, a privilege of the rich, as it is a matter of health and dignity.

According to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) monthly forecast, above-normal heatwave days are expected over most parts of the country between Mar...