This issue of South Asia disasters.net is titled ‘COVID-19 Second Wave and Indian Cities’ and highlights how India’s cities were impacted from the second wave of the pandemic. In doing so, there are also indispensable lessons to be imbibed on how to be better prepared for any upcoming wave of the pandemic. Themes of social justice, inclusion, citizen empowerment, food security, water security, shelter security, livelihood security as well as the idea of empathy in the urban setting permeate all the articles included in this issue.