| Introduction: What are Heat Action Plans? Body: Effectiveness of HAP and measures to mitigate the impact of heatwave on population. Conclusion: Way forward |
Heat Action Plans (HAPs) outline preparatory, adaptive, and responsive strategies for government departments to address heat and its effects. These plans are required to be systematically drafted at the city, district, and state levels for effective implementation, following the guidelines set by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Effectiveness of Current Heat Action Plans
- Early Warning System: Many cities have developed early warning systems that provide timely alerts about impending heatwaves, helping communities and authorities to prepare.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Campaigns have increased awareness about the dangers of extreme heat and measures to stay safe, leading to behavioral changes.
- Healthcare Preparedness: Training for healthcare workers on managing heat-related illnesses has improved, leading to better preparedness in hospitals and clinics.
- Urban Planning and Infrastructure: Some cities have started integrating heat-resilient urban planning, such as planting trees and creating green spaces.
Measures to Mitigate the Impact of Heatwaves
- Inclusion of Informal Workers: Mandate inclusion of various informal workers in urban areas with clear national guidelines, allowing states to adapt and innovate.
- Holistic Work Guidelines: Investigate indoor and outdoor work impacts to develop comprehensive guidelines, as indoor workers often face extreme heat too.
- Worker Community Inclusion: Involve worker communities in action plan preparation, with input from worker welfare boards and bodies like Town Vending Committees (TVC) for effective HAP drafting and execution.
- Gender-Specific Heat Stress Plans: Address the gender-specific impacts of heat, acknowledging the harsher effects on women workers in heat stress plans.
- Prolonged Event Integration: Reframe heat waves as prolonged events to integrate HAPs with long-term urban planning and CAPs, requiring NDMA collaboration with MoHUA and MoLE.
- Compensation for Losses: Recognize heat wave-induced losses in income, health, and livelihoods, requiring welfare measures with state interventions and employers’ contributions, including climate-resilient social protection and income compensation.
- Labour Law Reforms: Rethink labour laws and upcoming Labour Codes considering informal workers and the impact of climate change on work.
Conclusion
Heat Action Plans are a crucial first step, but for true effectiveness, India needs a multi-pronged approach. Long-term urban design changes and social programs focused on vulnerable populations are essential to mitigate the harsh impact of heat waves in Indian cities.
