Heatwaves in India: An Urgent Call for Public Policy Response
April this year witnessed the highest maximum temperature in three years and the warmest night in six years, underscoring the urgent need for robust public-policy responses to heat-related risks.
Current Situation and Predictions
- Heatwaves, typical in northern India from April to June, are increasing in duration and intensity.
- Last year, India experienced record-breaking heatwave days, resulting in over 40,000 heatstroke cases and 143 deaths.
- The India Meteorological Department forecasted temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in northern and central India by early April, levels typically seen in mid-May.
Challenges in Response
The main challenge lies in crafting effective responses that protect the public, especially the most vulnerable, from escalating heatwave consequences driven by climate change.
Public-Policy Responses
- Responses require a mix of immediate preparedness and long-term adaptation and mitigation strategies across all government levels.
- Heat Action Plans (HAPs), implemented locally, include:
- Temporary cooling shelters and water kiosks.
- Public awareness campaigns.
- Revised work hours for outdoor workers.
- Over 100 cities have developed HAPs in the past decade, yet they face challenges:
- Tend to be reactive and put in place after temperature rises.
- Advisory nature leads to variable urgency in responses.
Healthcare and Policy Gaps
- Guidelines by the National Programme on Climate Change & Human Health and the National Centre for Disease Control exist but are poorly disseminated among healthcare professionals and hospitals.
Recommendations
- Make heatwave-related protocols mandatory with penalties for non-compliance to protect workers, especially in the unorganised sector.
- Accelerate the transition to renewable energy to reduce dependence on unsustainable fossil fuels.
Given the undeniable reality of global warming, India's focus on renewable energy could help mitigate the economic impact of rising temperatures and improve the sustainability of its energy mix.