Addressing the increasing severity of heatwaves in India requires comprehensive strategies that go beyond traditional approaches. While Heat Action Plans (HAPs) offer crucial guidelines, numerous challenges hinder their effectiveness, ranging from the need for localized criteria to inconsistent methodologies and inadequate consideration of vulnerable populations.
To effectively tackle this pressing issue, a holistic approach encompassing community engagement, resource allocation, and integration with broader climate adaptation efforts is imperative.
Definition by Region:
- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) determines heatwaves based on where they occur.
- In plains, a heatwave is declared if the maximum temperature is 40°C or more.
- Along the coast, it’s 37°C or more, and in hills, it’s 30°C or more.
Severity Measurement:
- The seriousness of a heatwave is measured by how much it deviates from normal temperatures.
- A “normal heatwave” is when temperatures are 4.5-6.4°C above normal.
- If the deviation is greater, it’s considered a “severe heatwave.”
Other Criteria:
- Heatwave declaration can also be based on actual maximum temperatures.
- If the temperature exceeds 45°C, it’s a heatwave, and if it’s over 47°C, it’s a severe heatwave.
- IMD uses these criteria when at least two stations in an area report such high temperatures or when one station shows a significant departure from normal for two consecutive days.
Addressing Heatwaves in India
Heat Action Plans (HAPs)
- Governments at different levels in India are taking steps to tackle heatwaves.
- Heat action plans (HAPs) are being developed by states, districts, and cities.
- The goal of HAPs is to reduce the harmful effects of extreme heat by planning ahead and taking action.
Collaboration and Development:
- The National Disaster Management Authority and IMD are collaborating with 23 states to create HAPs.
- Although there’s no central database, at least 23 HAPs exist at the state and city levels.
- Some states, like Odisha and Maharashtra, have also made district-level HAPs.
Components of HAPs:
- HAPs in India typically start with an overview of the heat situation in different regions.
- This includes past heatwave events, trends in summer temperatures, and vulnerability assessments.
- The plans then suggest actions to mitigate heatwave impacts before, during, and after they occur.
- They also outline the responsibilities of various departments like disaster management, labor, and police.
Recommendations in Heat Action Plans (HAPs)
- Early Warning Systems: HAPs advise using forecasts and early warning systems to notify the public and authorities about upcoming heatwaves.
- Public Education: They suggest campaigns to educate people about the risks of heatwaves.
Infrastructure:
- Building heat shelters and cooling centers is recommended.
- Providing clean drinking water to prevent dehydration is also emphasized.
Healthcare Preparedness: HAPs direct hospitals to have enough supplies and trained staff to handle an increase in patients with heat-related illnesses.
Long-term Strategies:
- Urban planning strategies promoting tree planting are encouraged.
- Using heat-resistant building materials and cool roofing technologies to reduce urban heat islands is suggested.
Coordination: Effective coordination among government agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and emergency services is emphasized for better response to heatwaves.
Challenges in Effectively Addressing Heatwaves
Local Context:
- Heat Action Plans (HAPs) currently use a national threshold to define heatwaves, but local factors like urban heat islands and humidity levels aren’t always considered.
- Cities experiencing extreme temperatures may not be classified as having a heatwave, ignoring factors like roofing type and proximity to water.
- Developing a comprehensive heat index that considers multiple factors beyond temperature is needed to better capture local experiences.
Inconsistent Methods:
- Vulnerability assessments in HAPs vary in methodology, calling for a more robust climate risk assessment to predict heatwave likelihood and exposure.
- Mapping hotspots and vulnerabilities using geospatial data could help prioritize interventions more effectively.
Vulnerable Populations:
- While HAPs prioritize protecting vulnerable groups, there’s a need for targeted interventions that consider local social, demographic, and infrastructure factors.
- Recognizing the informal economy’s vulnerability, tailored strategies are required for workers like street vendors and sanitation workers.
Resource Allocation:
- The implementation of HAPs depends on local government priorities and capacities, highlighting the need for dedicated budgets.
- Dialogues between states, civil society, and worker unions can help create financial mechanisms to support informal workers during heatwaves.
Breaking Down Silos:
- Integrating HAPs with broader urban resilience and climate adaptation plans could enhance resource pooling and effectiveness.
- Improved data collection and monitoring systems are necessary for assessing HAP effectiveness over time.
Long-Term Measures:
- HAPs often focus on infrastructure like cool roofs but overlook nature-based solutions.
- Incorporating green and blue spaces into planning is essential for effective heatwave mitigation in hotspots.