Indian Express Editorial Analysis
14 February 2025
The Heat of the Moment
(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Ideas Page – Page No. – )
Topic : GS3 : Science & Technology
Context
We need to tackle heatwaves with greater urgency.
Introduction:
Climate change has enhanced the frequency of disasters and, among them, a silent killer is the heatwave. India is experiencing more frequent, prolonged and severe heatwaves. These extreme temperatures pose significant risk to public health, infrastructure, and livelihoods, especially in vulnerable regions.
Heatwave Crisis in India
- Climate Change Impact
- Increased frequency, duration, and severity of heatwaves due to climate change.
- Global temperature rise (1.5°C threshold breached in 18 of 19 months until January 2025) makes heatwaves a silent killer.
- Public Perception Gap
- Disasters are perceived as risks for ‘others’, leading to low preparedness.
- Limited public awareness about heatwave risks despite their growing threat.
Impacts of Heatwaves
- Public Health
- 90% of Indians are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
- Overburdened healthcare systems, especially in rural areas.
- Economic Stability
- Productivity losses due to outdoor workforce vulnerability.
- World Bank estimates 34 million job losses by 2030.
- Water Resources
- 54% of India’s land faces high-to-extreme water stress (WRI).
- Groundwater depletion and rising demand strain water security.
- Agriculture: Crop failures, reduced yields, and higher irrigation demands threaten food security.
- Energy Sector
- Surge in power demand for cooling systems strains supply.
- 70% of power from thermal plants (water-dependent) face efficiency losses during heatwaves.
NDMA’s Strategic Initiatives
- Heat Action Plans (HAPs)
- Decentralized approach: 250+ HAPs developed for states, districts, and cities.
- Guidelines for preparedness, including early warnings and localized vulnerability assessments.
- National Framework for Heatwave Mitigation (2024)
- Shift from short-term response to long-term mitigation.
- Key innovations:
- Community participation and multi-sectoral collaboration.
- Institutional capacity-building and financing mechanisms.
- Coordination Efforts
- Designated officers for heatwave management.
- Encouraging states to declare heat as a disaster for better resource allocation.
- Strengthened IMD-NDMA coordination for localized alerts via Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).
Implementation Challenges
- Scaling and Local Ownership
- Limited success in translating HAPs into actionable outcomes.
- Need for community-driven solutions and dynamic HAP updates.
- Inter-Departmental Coordination: Fragmented efforts across urban planning, healthcare, labour, and energy sectors.
- Resource Allocation: Financing gaps for sustainable infrastructure (e.g. green cooling solutions).
Way Forward: Future Directions
- Infrastructure Adaptation
- Cool roofs, green spaces, and rainwater harvesting to reduce urban heat islands.
- Cool rooms and water kiosks in high-risk areas.
- Early Warning Systems: CAP-enabled alerts for timely public communication.
- Workforce Protection: Revised working hours and cooling vests for outdoor labourers.
- Healthcare Preparedness: Heatwave protocols at hospitals and primary healthcare centres.
- Water Security: Promotion of rooftop rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation.
Conclusion:
India’s heatwave crisis demands urgent, multi-sectoral collaboration. NDMA’s framework and HAPs provide a roadmap, but success hinges on local ownership of mitigation strategies, innovations and continuous data-driven updates to policies.