Lok Sabha Question No. 519 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-18
Subject: Action Plan for Heat Waves
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESEARCH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 519 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH NOVEMBER, 2016

## ACTION PLAN FOR HEAT WAVES

## 519. SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of deaths occurred in the country due to heat waves during 2015- 16;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has developed  a  heat  action  plan  to  prevent such  deaths  in  the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any Government/private organisation or institute has developed a action plan in this regard, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to implement the same in all the States facing severe heat waves; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a): As per National Disaster Management Authority's (NDMA) guidelines for preparation of Action Plan - Prevention and Management of Heat Wave, i n 2015, daily maximum temperature exceeded the average maximum temperature by more than 6°C to 8°C, which resulted in de ath of 2422 people in India due to heat - wave.
- (b): The  Heat - Wave  Action  plan  framed  by  NDMA  aims  to  provide  a  framework  for implementation, coordination and evaluation of extreme heat response activities in citie in India that reduce the negative i mpact of extreme heat. The Plan's primary objective is to alert those populations at risk of heat - related illness in places where extreme heat conditions eith exist or are imminent, and to take appropriate precautions, which are at high risk. The h -wa ve action plan is intended to mobilize individuals and communities to help protect their nei friends, relatives, and themselves against avoidable health problems during spells of weather.
- (c) : The city of Ahmedabad was among the first ci ties to prepare a Heat wave Action Plan in 2015. The Heat Wave Action Plan of Ahmedabad concluded that Smart Cities are Heat wave Safe Cities.

Odisha State Disaster Management Authority is taking steps proactively such as:

- i. Early  warning  systems:  Temperature  and  humidity  levels,  considered  together,  w determine the threshold for heat wave alerts.
- ii. Public outreach: Temperature forecasts and heat alerts will be sent as bulk messag mobile phones, including to the media for wider broadcast and Electronic screens at busy traffic  intersections  and  market  places  will  also  display  the  information.  It developing a website and a mobile phone app that would not only provide heat alerts also help users identify, via m aps, heat shelters and drinking water availability along highways through the state.
- iii. Medical upgradation and administrative measures -Heat treatment wings also are planned in hospitals, and heat alerts would trigger early morning shifts for schools and of ice . Source: NDMA

(d) to (e) : Department  of  Health  Research  has  no  such  proposal.  However, NDMA guidelines for preparation of Action Plan - Prevention and Management of Heat Wave state that Heat- wave has not been notified as a disaster by Government of India yet.