Extreme heat is now globally recognised by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction  (UNDRR) as a slow-onset disaster that steadily erodes health, livelihoods, and local economies. The UNDRR has been instrumental in reframing extreme heat from a seasonal inconvenience into a systemic risk that requires early, people-centred action. This shift is especially relevant for India’s small towns and small businesses, where exposure is high and resources are limited.

UNDRR’s approach emphasises heat risk-informed governance, anticipatory cooling action, and locallyअ led heat resilience. Rather than responding only after temperatures peak, UNDRR promotes acting early—through adjusted work timings, access to drinking water, shade, ventilation, and livelihood protection. These measures are low-cost but high-impact for small businesses working in open and informal settings in small towns of India.

A key lesson from UNDRR evolving initiatives is that resilience does not depend only on large infrastructure. Small, locally driven actions—such as cool roofs, shade canopies, water storage, and flexible work practices—can significantly reduce heat stress and prevent avoidable losses when supported in time by local authorities.

By foregrounding equity and local solutions, UNDRR reinforces a simple message: early cooling action and small heat resilience measures can deliver big, lasting impact in India’s small towns.