Govt Adds Financial Muscle to Heatwave Plans for States

NDMA Retools Heat Response Strategy Amid Health Warnings

- PUJA DAS

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which has 250 heat action plans for cities, is not only aiming to expand those to the district level but is also planning to incorporate financial mechanisms or mitigation funds into heat action plans to deal with rising heatwaves, said a senior executive on Tuesday.

This comes at a time when recent studies indicate a trend of general warming in mean annual temperature over the Indian subcontinent, threatening economic growth and a better quality of life. This assumes significance as the disaster management authority faces challenges in implementing heat action plans on the ground.

India's average temperature has risen by around 0.7 degrees Celsius between 1901 and 2018, and by the end of the 21st century, it is projected to increase further by 4.4 degrees Celsius. This means vast stretches of India are now expected to face prolonged heatwaves lasting 30-40 days or more.