What is heatwave? | Cracknomics

Out of the world's top 100 hottest cities, India has 95. Back in April alone, dozens of Indian cities crossed a brutal 46°C, making them hotter than Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and even a war-torn Iran. We're talking 37 cities in Uttar Pradesh, 18 in West Bengal, 7 in Punjab, plus major hotspots in Andhra, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana. And experts are now warning that the summer of 2026 is going to shatter every heat record we've ever seen. More heatwave days, weaker monsoons, and weather so unpredictable that hailstorms and scorching heat now hit the same week. Yes, sudden rain brought some relief to parts of North India; but it also destroyed fruit and vegetable crops in the hills. The cost? Spiking inflation, devastated agriculture, and a massive economic hit that's just getting started. But here's what we don't talk about enough: the heat is literally hurting our bodies. From kidney damage and heart stress to hormonal imbalance; heatwaves don't just make you sweat, they make you sick. And on top of all this, there's growing concern about a Super El Niño arriving soon. What exactly is it, and are we prepared? Meanwhile, global supply chains are already choking due to the Iran conflict, and Indian workers are striking across industries — the same workers who bear the worst of these heatwaves. Now that the political heat of election season is finally over, let's talk about the real heat. This week in #Cracknomics, we break down what the summer of 2026 will be like. Join The Wire's Youtube Membership and get exclusive content, member-only emojis, live interaction with The Wire's founders, editors and reporters and much more. Memberships to The Wire Crew start at Rs 89/month. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWtJey46brNr7qHQpN6KLQ/join