In 2025, Indian cities are experiencing severe environmental challenges due to unchecked urbanization. Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Patna are becoming hotter and wetter, primarily due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and increased impermeable surfaces. The replacement of green spaces with concrete traps heat, causing night-time temperatures to stay high, especially in dense metro zones. Simultaneously, warmer air holds more moisture, leading to extreme monsoon downpours, overwhelming drainage systems and causing frequent urban floods. In May 2025, Mumbai witnessed 67,000% above-average rainfall in a single spell, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.

 The dual crisis of heat stress and flooding is affecting public health, daily life, and infrastructure. Experts stress the need for sustainable urban planning, including green cover, reflective buildings, smart drainage, and climate-responsive designs to make cities resilient for the future.