Tackling Heatwaves - Strengthening Resilience in India

Context

• Disasters are often perceived as distant threats, but climate change has increased the frequency of extreme weather events.
• Among them, heatwaves have become a silent killer in India, impacting public health, infrastructure, and economic stability. However, public awareness regarding heatwave risks remains alarmingly low.

Rising Heatwave Threat in India

• India is experiencing more frequent, prolonged, and severe
• January 2025 marked the 18th month in the last 19 where global temperatures crossed the 1.5°C threshold.
• The Paris Summit goal of limiting global temperature rise to 2°C is now nearly unattainable.

Impacts of Heatwaves

• Public health crisis: 90% of Indians are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Rural healthcare systems are overburdened due to heat-induced ailments.
• Economic consequences: Heat stress could cause 34 million job losses in India by 2030 (World Bank). Outdoor workers suffer productivity losses.
• Water scarcity and food security:
  • The supply of water is not keeping up with the rising demand. Only 4% of the world's freshwater is found in India, while having 18% of the world's population.
  • 54% of India’s land faces high-to-extreme-high water stress (WRI).
  • Declining groundwater levels and rising irrigation demands threaten agriculture.
  • Heatwaves can lead to crop failures and reduced yields.
• Energy sector challenges:
  • Increased power demand for cooling strains the energy supply.
  • 70% of India’s power is generated by thermal plants that rely on water for cooling, making them vulnerable to inefficiencies.

Government Response and Policy Interventions

• Role of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):
  • Recognized heatwaves as a serious hazard.
  • Conducts national workshops to enhance preparedness.
  • Develops and implements Heat Action Plans (HAPs) - a structured approach to mitigating heatwave impacts.
  • Issues guidelines for state and local governments.
• National Framework for Heatwave Mitigation and Management (2024):
  • Shifts focus from short-term response to long-term mitigation.
  • Includes local vulnerability assessments, community participation, and inter-sectoral coordination.
  • Encourages states to classify heatwaves as disasters for better resource allocation.
  • Extends the focus from preparedness to mitigation, advocating for locally-owned and context-specific HAPs.
  • Mandates periodic updates to HAPs based on data-driven impact assessments.

Implementation Challenges and Strategies

• Strengthening local interventions:
  • Encouragement of cool roofs and green infrastructure.
  • Early warning systems strengthened through Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)-NDMA coordination.
  • Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) used for efficient dissemination.
• Protecting vulnerable populations:
  • Revising working hours and providing cooling vests for outdoor workers.
  • Establishing cool rooms with drinking water in high-risk urban areas.
  • Enhancing hospital readiness with heat management protocols.
• Water conservation measures:
  • Promoting rooftop rainwater harvesting.
  • Setting up water kiosks in vulnerable communities.

Conclusion

• With over 250 Heat Action Plans in place, the next challenge is ensuring effective implementation and public awareness.
• India must focus on transforming cities and communities into heat-resilient ecosystems to withstand rising temperatures in the future.

Q1. Why are heatwaves considered a major hazard in India?

Ans. Heatwaves pose severe risks to public health, water security, agriculture, and economic productivity, affecting 90% of India's population.

Q2. What role does the NDMA play in mitigating heatwave impacts?

Ans. The NDMA develops Heat Action Plans (HAPs), issues guidelines, conducts awareness programs, and coordinates with state and local governments for heatwave management.

Q3. How do heatwaves affect India's water and food security?

Ans. Heatwaves accelerate water evaporation, deplete groundwater, and increase irrigation demands, leading to crop failures and food shortages.

Q4. What are some policy measures included in the National Framework for Heatwave Mitigation and Management (2024)?

Ans. The framework emphasizes long-term preparedness, localized vulnerability assessments, multi-sectoral coordination, and state-level classification of heatwaves as disasters.

Q5. How is India improving its early warning systems for heatwaves?

Ans. The IMD-NDMA coordination has been strengthened, and the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) is used to disseminate localized heat alerts efficiently. 

Source:IE