Recently, in a government organised event held in Navi Mumbai, 12 people died of heatstroke due to inadequate provision for appropriate drinking water which led to dehydration. In the coming years, heat stroke is going to rise, especially for India, as per Global Climate Risk Index.
Steps that can be taken by the government to prepare people for heat conditions:
- Effective preparation of Heat Action Plan (HAP), which is a policy document outlining preparatory, adaptive and responsive measures for government department to tackle the heat and its impacts. Delhi is yet to come out with a HAP, while HAP has proven to be effective in several regions across India.
- Spreading awareness about climate literacy, so that climate-appropriate decisions are taken by individuals. Most importantly, the vulnerable section such as residents of urban slums, people with chronic health problems, and workers working in small, enclosed space.
- Installation of local meteorology offices, so that timely heat alerts based on the local conditions are issued well in advance.
- Specialised training for health care professionals to deal with heat stroke related issues. Strengthening of medical infrastructure for heat related conditions.
- Installation of roofs made of cooling materials, such as coconut husks and paper waste, so that the buildings remain cold despite heat conditions.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) gave guidelines to enable states to prepare HAP. HAP have been useful in dealing with the heat related conditions.
- The early warning system established under HAP has been helpful for forecast and inter-agency coordination against heat wave. Telangana has an app to disseminate village level weather condition in real time.
- Identification of hotspots in the cities has helped in developing coping mechanisms and emergency response to heat related conditions. Odisha has taken special initiative to outline such hotspots in Bhubaneshwar.
- Dissemination of public awareness through print media and electronic media has helped reduce exposure to heat and promote adaptive measures.
- Collaboration with non-government and civil society organisations has helped improve sheds and shelter at public places such as market, bus stations. Water delivery has improved in public areas.
- In long term, improving of forest coverage, green areas and shelter belts have helped reduce the ill impacts of heat waves.
However, there are still certain limitations in HAP, such as the definition of heat hazard does not consider humidity, exposure durations etc. Most of HAP are poor at identifying the vulnerable sections and the heat hotspots. Another issue relates to the funding of the HAP, which is facing serious funding constraint.
Heat is still not identified as a disaster, which is eligible for mitigation and relief under National and State disaster risk management funds. An expert committee should be constituted to review the decision, review the HAPs and share the best practices based on experiences of different states.
