Increasing Heatwaves related mortalities

Source-This post on Increasing Heatwaves related mortalities has been created based on the article “Who dies in a heat wave? High temperatures don’t affect everyone equally” published in “The Indian Express” on 25 June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Disaster and Disaster Management.

Context- Heat poses risks both to the environment and occupational health. In May 2024, the NPCC-HH reported 46 deaths and over 19,000 suspected heat stroke cases nationwide.

The National Heat-Related Illness (HRI) and Death Surveillance defines a “heat-related death” as one caused or significantly influenced by exposure to high ambient temperatures. Recent cases in Noida and Delhi have shown that manual laborers and migrants are most vulnerable to heat-related fatalities.

There is a growing global focus on understanding how community and social factors at city and local levels contribute to worsening heat-related health risks. These factors include ethnicity, cultural or linguistic isolation, income disparities, food insecurity, inability to afford energy bills, socioeconomic status etc.

What is the negative impact of rising heat wave conditions?

1) Heat can exacerbate existing health conditions like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

2) High temperatures can elevate the risk of accidents. Recently, the general secretary of All India Railway Men’s Federation highlighted that locomotive drivers in non-air-conditioned engine cabs are exposed to temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius for prolonged periods.

What are the issues in addressing heat-related inequities?

1) Gaps in Heat Action Plans– Heat action plans (HAPs) in India, at all levels from national to city miss key vulnerability factors. They rely heavily on a few composite-based heat maps. For ex-Delhi’s HAP lacks specific measures for vulnerable areas and groups, resulting in generalized guidelines that do not effectively address diverse heat-related risks across different demographics and contexts.

Read more–Heat Action Plan

2) Neglect Socio-economic Inequalities-Current approaches frequently prioritize meteorological data over the lived experiences of heat. This may neglect socio-economic inequalities that increase vulnerability to heat-related risks.

What should be the way forward?

1) Improving Heat Action Plans- Local vulnerability maps should be developed to integrate urban microclimate patterns. They should advance towards targeted interventions based on specific vulnerabilities.

2) Addressing heat inequities: -There’s a need for more inclusive approaches that consider socio-segregation patterns and outdoor environments’ role in enhancing heat impacts.

3) Multisectoral Approach– It’s necessary to engage diverse stakeholders beyond conventional hazard management bodies. Further, actual lived experiences of people during heat events should also be considered along with scientific data to take steps to reduce heat stress.

Question for practice

What are the adverse effects of increasing heat wave conditions? What challenges exist in tackling disparities related to heat impacts?