Learning from Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan

Source-This post on Learning from Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan has been created based on the article “Dealing with the heat wave: A blueprint for scalding cities” published in “The Indian Express” on 19 June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3-Disaster Management

Context– The article talks about recent severe heatwaves across India, where temperatures in some cities reached nearly 50°C. It underscores the growing danger of climate change and stresses the importance of taking proactive steps to safeguard people from extreme heat. Learning from Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan

What are the lessons that can be learnt from Ahmedabad’s Heat Action Plan?

1) Monitoring All-Cause Mortality- In the 2010 heatwave in Ahmedabad, the overall number of deaths exceeded expectations, despite fewer reported cases of heat stroke. This highlighted the need to monitor all causes of mortality, not just heat stroke cases, for a more accurate assessment of heatwave impacts.

2) Simple and Well-Implemented Measures– Ahmedabad’s Heat Action Plan includes simple measures like early warning systems, interagency coordination, public awareness campaigns, and readiness of medical services. The important aspect is to ensure these measures are effectively implemented and accessible to the entire community, especially vulnerable groups.

3) Dedicated Nodal Officer- They have appointed a dedicated nodal officer for heat action planning with a long-term role, enabling effective leadership, learning, and coordination. This officer receives meteorological warnings, shares alerts, and supervises the implementation of departmental measures based on alert levels (yellow, orange, and red).

4) Involvement of Facilitating Agencies– They have involved local public health institutions, international knowledge partners, NGOs, and community-based organizations. These agencies brought expertise, helped with media outreach, and assisted municipal authorities in taking ownership and coordinating efforts.

5) Continuous Improvement and Evaluation– The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan is continuously reviewed and enhanced based on evaluations after each season. These evaluations analyze mortality and temperature data, compare it with previous periods, and identify areas for improvement. This iterative process has resulted in the addition of new elements and improvements in planning and implementation over time.

Read more-Heat Action Plan

What should be the way forward?

1) There is no universal heat action plan that fits every location. Thus, each city and district must customize the framework according to their specific requirements, environment, and available resources.

2) Tailored plans implemented diligently can safeguard people from extreme temperatures and enhance resilience against climate change. Thus, there is a need to prioritize the development of such resilience measures in response to this year’s heatwave.

Question for practice

What are the lessons that can be learnt from Ahmedabad’s Heat Action Plan?