Lok Sabha Question No. 4665 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Impact of Extreme Heat Condition on Health
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4665 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## IMPACTOFEXTREME HEAT CONDITION ON HEALTH

## 4665. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:

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

(a) whether there is an urgent need for better tracking, preparedness and policy interventions as the country braces for another extreme summer and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether it is true that the heat related deaths in the country are not correctly declared due to lack of robust data and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there is a need to improve surveillance to minimize the impact of extreme heat conditions on health and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government is considering to make a coordinated effort to reduce the heat wave deaths in the country involving many sectors such as labour, housing and urban planning, etc. and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) & (b): Government is aware of the need for better tracking, preparedness and policy interventions on extreme weather. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) implements the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) that addresses the health sector strengthening to various health impacts of Climate Change, preparedness and response to climate sensitive disease especially extreme heat through health promotion, capacity building of the healthcare workforce, health facility preparedness, early warning, action plan and multi sectoral engagements. National HeatRelated Illness and Death Surveillance (NHRIDS) has been established under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme. States and UTs are submitting the data on heat stroke cases on Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).

Advisories issued by MoHFW may be accessed at links:

https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2.-Advisory-for-State-Health-Depa rtments-for-Summer-2025.pdf https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1.-NPCCHH\_Public-health-adviso ry\_Extreme-heat\_Heatwave.pdf

(c): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has taken various steps in coordination with several research centres to improve monitoring and early warning systems. The details are annexed.

(d): State and District-level Task Force are formed under NPCCHH programme to engage different sectors with the aim to improve health outcomes and strengthening health sector preparedness.

IMD has undertaken coordinated efforts which help minimize loss of life and property during extreme weather events, including heat waves through Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in 23 States that are prone to heatwave conditions jointly implemented by the national disaster management authority in collaboration with the State Governments

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system, based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission including NPCCHH activities.

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4665 FOR 28.03.2025 REGARDING IMPACT OF EXTREME HEAT CONDITION ON HEALTH:

- i. Issuing seasonal and monthly outlook, followed by extended range forecast of temperature and heat wave conditions.
- ii. District-wise heatwave vulnerability Atlas over India to help State Government authorities and disaster management agencies in planning and taking appropriate action.
- iii. The hot weather hazard analysis map over India that includes daily temperature, winds, and humidity conditions.
- iv. Heat index forecast for the entire country and impact-based forecast of heatwave conditions at district levels
- v. Real-time heat wave information and warnings on the Web-GIS platform.
- vi. Improvement of forecasts and warning dissemination services along with utilizing modern tools of dissemination systems for timely public outreach.

*****