On India’s ‘heat action plans’

On India’s ‘heat action plans’

Subject: Geography

Sec: Climatology

Context:

• As summer approaches, India typically braces for heat alerts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This year, such alerts started unusually early, in February, with parts of northeast and western India already experiencing temperatures 3.1-5 degrees Celsius above normal.

Heatwaves:

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a heatwave based on the maximum temperatures of different geographical areas: 40°C or more in the plains, 37°C or more along the coast, and 30°C or more in the hills.
• A heatwave is categorized as ‘normal’ when temperatures exceed the normal by 4.5-6.4°C and as ‘severe’ when the departure is greater.
• Additionally, a heatwave can be declared based on maximum temperatures alone: over 45°C is considered a heatwave, and over 47°C is severe.
• The criteria also require that at least two stations in a meteorological subdivision report such high temperatures, or one station reports a significant departure from normal temperatures for at least two consecutive days.
• How India Tackles Heatwaves?
  • To manage and mitigate the impact of heatwaves, which are increasing in frequency and severity, India employs Heat Action Plans (HAPs).
  • These plans are developed at state, district, and city levels with the collaboration of the National Disaster Management Authority and the IMD. 
  • Currently, 23 states are involved in developing these plans, though no centralized database of HAPs exists. 
  • Plans typically include a heat profile of the region, historical data on heat waves, and a vulnerability assessment to identify high-risk areas.
  • They also outline detailed response strategies to be implemented before, during, and after heatwave events and define the roles of various governmental departments, such as disaster management, labour departments, and police, in managing the heatwave response.

What do the HAPs recommend?

• Heat Action Plans (HAPs) recommend a multifaceted approach to manage and mitigate the effects of heat waves. Key recommendations include:
  • Early Warning and Communication
  • Public Education
  • Establishing heat shelters and cooling centers, and ensuring the availability of clean drinking water to prevent dehydration.
  • Healthcare Preparedness
  • Implementing long-term urban planning strategies that include tree planting, using heat-resistant building materials, and applying cool roofing technologies to minimize the urban heat island effect and reduce indoor temperatures.

Heat Action Plans (HAPs) face several challenges that limit their effectiveness:

1. Local Context Sensitivity:
   • Incorporating a wider definition of heatwaves to include humid heat and warmer nights is necessary, along with a comprehensive heat index that considers multiple factors beyond temperature.
2. Inconsistent Assessment Methods:
   • While vulnerability assessments are part of most HAPs, the methodologies used are inconsistent. Transitioning to robust climate risk assessments that evaluate the likelihood and impact of heat waves on diverse areas is crucial.
   • Geospatial data should be utilized for effective hotspot mapping to prioritize and tailor interventions.
3. Addressing Vulnerable Populations:
   • HAPs recognize the need to protect vulnerable groups but often lack targeted interventions that consider the specific needs and socio-economic conditions of these populations.
   • Strategies should also account for the informal sector, which makes up over 90% of India’s economy, to ensure these workers are not exposed to heat without losing income.
4. Resource Allocation and Collaboration:
   • Dedicated budgets and collaborative financial mechanisms involving state bodies, civil society, and worker unions are needed to support compliance without income loss.
   • Integrating HAPs with broader urban resilience and climate adaptation plans could enhance resource pooling and overall effectiveness.
5. Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions:
   • While long-term infrastructure solutions like cool roofs are mentioned, there is a need for a more focused approach to incorporating green and blue spaces and other nature-based solutions to mitigate heat effectively.

Source: TH