Lok Sabha Question No. 2731 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Rising Frequency and Intensity of Heat Waves
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

- (a) Yes.
- (b) Due  to  climate  change,  annual  temperature  is  increasing  globally,  and  the  impact  of  the same is reflected in the rising frequency and intensity ofheatwaves in various parts of the globe,  including  India.The  trend  in  heatwave  conditions  across  the  country  has  been analysed  by  the  India  Meteorological  Department  (IMD)  based  on  datasets  from  1961  to 2020. In general, there is an increasing trend in the frequency of heatwaves in the heat core zone covering northern plains and central India. The rising frequency and intensity of heat waves are clear indicators of the broader issue of global climate change.

Addressing the root causes of global climate change is essential to mitigating the impact of heatwaves. This involves international cooperation to reduce carbon emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and implement sustainable practices across all sectors. Towards this,  India  has  taken  a  proactive  role  in  fostering  international  collaborations  through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure. India is committed to pursuing low-carbon strategies for development and is actively pursuing them, as per national circumstances.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2731 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 7 TH AUGUST, 2024

## RISING FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY OF HEAT WAVES

2731.   SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT: SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any proposal to address the rising frequency and intensity of heat waves in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the gravity of disaster due to the heat waves, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  notify  the  disaster  caused  by  heat  waves  as  the  disaster entitled for sufficient funding for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation efforts from both National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to equip the Disaster Management Authorities to address the challenges caused due to heat waves; and
- (f) if so, the details of action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (c) Yes.  Abnormal  temperature  events  can  impose  severe  physiological  stress  on  the  human bodyas the body operates best within a fairly normal temperature range. There is a marked relationship  between  human  mortality  and  thermal  stress.  During  unusually  hot  episodes, deaths from different causes can rise significantly with the elderly at greater risk than others.

Four Common heat health impacts resulting from excessive exposure to heat waves include dehydration, cramps, exhaustion, and heatstroke. It is also learnt that there is a sharp rise in number  of  cases  of  acute  gastroenteritis  and  food  poisoning  due  to  spoilageof  food  and reduction of its shelf life due to high temperatures. There is also a rise in number of cases of anxiety,  palpitations,  nervousness,  and  behavioural  change  linked  toextreme  temperature rise.  The  occupational  profile  of  most  of  the  victims  was  ascertainedas  agricultural labourers, coastal community dwellers, and people living below poverty line (BPL) category with mostly outdoor occupations.

- (d) Currently,  the  notified  list  of  disasters  eligible  for  National  Disaster  Response  Fund (NDRF)/State  Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF)  assistance  includes  12  disasters,  namely cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloud burst, pest attack, and frost & cold wave. The issue of inclusion of more calamities in the existing notified list of calamities was considered by the 15 th Finance Commission. The Commission,  in  para  8.143  of  its  report,  had  observed  that  the  list  of  notified  disasters eligible  for  funding  from  the  State  Disaster  Response  Mitigation  Fund  (SDRMF)  and National Disaster Response Mitigation Fund (NDRMF) covers the needs of the State to a large extent and thus did not find much merit in the request to expand its scope.

However, a State Government can use up to 10% of the annual fund allocation of the SDRF, subject to the fulfillment of certain prescribed conditions and norms, to provide immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters that they consider to be 'disasters' within the local context  in  the  State  and  which  are  not  included  in  the  centrally  notified  list  of  natural disasters.

- (e) Yes.
- (f) India Meteorological Department, in coordination with various research centers across the country, has been taken multiple steps to improve monitoring and early warning systems, which helped minimize loss of life and property during extreme weather events, including heat waves. These include:
- i. Issuing  seasonal  and  monthly  outlooks,  followed  by  extended-range  forecasts  of temperature and heat wave conditions. The early warning and forecast information are also disseminated through various social media for timely public outreach.
- ii. District-wise  heatwave  vulnerability  Atlas  over  India  to  help  State  Government authorities and disaster management agencies in planning
- iii. The  hot  weather  hazard  analysis  map  over  India  that  includes  daily  temperature, winds, and humidity condition
- iv. Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in 23 States that are prone to heatwave conditions jointly implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)  in collaboration with the State Governments

A series of National and State-level heatwave preparedness meetings are conducted much before  the  start  of  the  summer  season,  with  regular  review  meetings  from  time  to  time during the season.

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