India, May 23 -- The summer of 2025 ushers in a perilous new normal as India's cities endure relentless heat, with Delhi scorching to 41.3 degC and Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Lucknow facing similar extremes.

Over 35% of India's population now lives in urban areas, a figure set to surpass 40% by 2030, where urban nights remain up to 7 degC hotter than surrounding rural areas. Heat stress jeopardises 34 million outdoor jobs by 2030 and threatens economic losses of $450 billion by 2050. While advanced solutions like super cool material coatings on rooftops paired with urban greenery can slash rooftop temperatures by 40 degC and ambient temperature by 4 to 6 degC, but only comprehensive, city-scale interve...