Lok Sabha Question No. 495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Heat Waves
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shri Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 495 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 23 RD  JULY, 2025

## HEAT WAVES

## †495.    SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH: SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the frequency of heat waves is increasing in various regions of the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  urgent  steps  taken  by  the  Government to  prevent  the  heat  wave and save the people;
- (c) whether there is any proposal to address the increasing frequency/intensity of heat waves in the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has assessed the severity of disaster caused by heat waves, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether there is any proposal to notify the disaster caused by heat waves as a disaster entitled to adequate funds for emergency response/relief/rehabilitation efforts from both the National Disaster Response Fund and the State Disaster Response Fund;
- (f) if so, the details thereof;
- (g) whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  equip  disaster  management  authorities  to address challenges caused by heat waves; and
- (h) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes.  Recent  studies  have  shown  that  frequency  of  the  Heat  Waves  is  increasing  over various parts of the country.
- (b) The  India  Meteorological  Department  (IMD),  in  collaboration  with  various  research centers across the country, has undertaken several initiatives to enhance monitoring and early  warning  systems.  These  efforts  have  significantly  contributed  to  minimizing  the loss  of  life  and  property  during  extreme  weather  events,  including  heatwaves.  These include:
-  Issuing  seasonal  and  monthly  outlooks,  followed  by  extended-range  forecasts  of temperature and heatwave conditions. The early warning and forecast information are  also  disseminated  through  various  social  media  platforms  for  timely  public outreach.
-  District-wise  heatwave  vulnerability  Atlas  over  India  to  help  State  Government authorities and disaster management agencies in planning.
-  The  hot weather hazard analysis map  of  India incorporates daily data on temperature, wind patterns, and humidity levels.
-  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.
- (c) Due to climate change, the annual temperature is increasing globally, and the impact of this is reflected in the rising frequency and intensity of heat waves in various parts of the globe,  including  India.  Furthermore,  the  Ministry  has  recently  published  the  Climate Change Assessment Report over the Indian region, which is available at https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-15-4327-2. The increasing 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 heat waves. 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.
- (d) Yes. Abnormal temperature events can impose severe physiological stress on the human body  as  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 the number of cases of acute gastroenteritis and food poisoning due to the spoilage of food and the reduction of its shelf life due to high temperatures. There is also a  rise  in  the  number  of  cases  of  anxiety,  palpitations,  nervousness,  and  behavioural change  linked  to  extreme  temperature  rise.  The  occupational  profile  of  most  of  the victims was ascertained as agricultural labourers, coastal community dwellers, and people living below the poverty line category, with mostly outdoor occupations.

- (e)-(f)  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 the 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.

- (g)-(h) The weather information is provided to all the stakeholders, including the ministries of the Union Government, State Governments, and local Government bodies. Further, Heat Action Plans (HAPs) have been implemented in 23 states that are particularly vulnerable to  heatwave  conditions.  These  plans  are  a  joint  initiative  by  the  National  Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the respective State Governments. The Common Alert Protocol (CAP), developed by the NDMA, is also being implemented to disseminate warnings and timely alerts by the IMD.

IMD has also brought out a web-based online 'Climate Hazard & Vulnerability Atlas of India'  prepared  for  the  thirteen  most  hazardous  meteorological  events,  which  cause extensive damage and economic, human, and animal losses. The same can be accessed at https://imdpune.gov.in/hazardatlas/abouthazard.html. This atlas will help State Government authorities and disaster management agencies identify the hotspots and plan and take appropriate action to tackle extreme weather events. This product is helpful in building  Climate  Change  resilient  infrastructure.  Further,  the  India  Meteorological Department  is  making  efforts  to  provide  weather  information  to  the  public  through various platforms:

-  Mass Media: Radio/TV, Newspaper network (AM, FM, Community Radio, Private TV), Prasar Bharati, and private broadcasters.
-  Weekly & Daily Weather Video.
-  Internet  (email), FTP.
-  Public Website (mausam.imd.gov.in).
-  IMD Apps:  Mausam/Meghdoot/DAMINI/RAIN ALARM.
-  Social Media: Facebook, X, Instagram, BLOG.
- i. X: https://twitter.com/Indiametdept
- ii. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/India.Meteorological.Department/
- iii. Blog: https://imdweather1875.wordpress.com/
- iv. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mausam\_nwfc
- v. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC\_qxTReoq07UVARm87CuyQw

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