An analysis of heat action plans (HAP) for nine cities and five districts found that there was no clear assessment of heat impact on the local population, a lack of legal and financial backing and that the response mechanism needs to be strengthened by identifying heat waves as a national disaster, as indicated in a report released by the non-profit research organisation iForest.
Highlighting three to four broad areas where the action plans need to be more specific to tackle heat waves more efficiently and effectively, the assessment found that the plans were not geared towards addressing particular local conditions, including efforts such as mapping vulnerable populations.
The report stated that NDMA guidelines require cities to develop local thresholds for an early warning system, as it depends on many factors, including the built environment, slum population, and urban heat island effect. It recommended the notification of heat waves be as a disaster under the Disaster Management Act 2005, to ensure focused funding. It also recommended a review of the definition of heat waves by the IMD and accounting for high night temperatures, relative humidity, and the ‘real feel’ of temperatures.
The nine cities analysed are Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Chandrapur, Delhi, Jodhpur, Rajkot, Surat, Thane, and Vadodara. The five districts are Ferozepur, Gorakhpur, Hazaribagh, Patiala, and Vellore. The report showed that only Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Rajkot, and Thane had mapped hotspots.
"Heat waves are projected to escalate across the country. Most forecasts indicate that with increasing global warming, heat waves will have a catastrophic impact on health, the economy, and livelihoods. Developing a comprehensive HAP is crucial to saving lives and livelihoods," emphasised Chandra Bhushan, president and CEO of iForest.
This summer, large parts of India experienced unprecedented long heat waves. For instance, Delhi endured 21 heatwave days. Cities also witnessed night temperatures persisting in the range of 32-34 degrees Celsius, underscoring the urgent need for effective heat action plans.