Plan to Tackle Heat Wave in India

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red colour warning during hot weather season of 2019 due to prolonged spells of heat wave & severe heat wave over northwest & central parts of India.

As reported by National Disaster Management Authority of India in their Guidelines for Preparation of Action Plan – 2016, since 1992, more than 22,000 people died as a result of exposure to extreme heat.

The primary responsibility of heat wave management rests with the States. The concerned State Governments are required to undertake necessary measures as per their relief codes / relief manuals and set up infrastructure in Government hospitals to deal with patients suffering from heat wave related illnesses.

In year 2016, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued Guidelines for ‘Preparation of Action Plan – Prevention and Management of Heat Wave’. NDMA issued revised guidelines in the year 2017.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have also issued ‘Guidelines on Prevention and Management of Heat Related Illnesses’ in the year 2015.

All States / UT Governments and Ministries / Departments concerned are required to take necessary action as per the guidelines issued by NDMA. So far, 13 State Governments have prepared their Heat Action Plan and are implementing the same. National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has also been advising State Health Departments to follow guidelines on “Prevention and Management of Heat Wave related Illness”.

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Sh Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.