A new study finds that a large majority of Delhi’s population lives in areas affected by heat stress, with conditions worsening as the city’s green cover declines. Citing satellite- and environment-based analysis, the report says heat stress intensifies over time in line with shrinking vegetation. Across the period from 2014 to 2024, Delhi’s green cover falls markedly, from 25.36% to 14.14%. The study links this reduction to higher exposure to extreme heat. It also notes deterioration in other environmental factors that can influence local cooling. The extent of water bodies in the city decreases during the same period, from 1.25% to 0.99%. According to the report, about three-fourths of Delhi faces heat stress that persists, indicating that the issue is not limited to occasional hot days but affects broader conditions across the region. The findings are presented as evidence that land-use change and loss of cooling ecosystems are associated with escalating heat stress in the national capital.