Lok Sabha Question No. 461 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Mapping of Heatwaves
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 461

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## MAPPING OF HEATWAVES

## 461.    SHRI Y S AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  invest  in  latest  advancements  in  geospatial technology and field-based assessments to provide effective mapping of heatwaves, such as granular scale heat vulnerability and hotspot mapping and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  also  planning  to  mandate  establishment  of  locally-defined temperature thresholds in all heat action plans taking into account the local risk multipliers while declaring a heatwave to provide a more region-specific approach and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is also contemplating to reform forecast models to region-specific thresholds for energy and water demand, crop and health impacts to enable impact-based heat forecast alerts in order to help policy-makers plan in advance about predicted heatwave events and 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. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been providing heatwave forecasts and warnings at multiple spatial and temporal scales and shares them with the public and disaster  management  authorities  for  mitigation  and  preparedness.  For  this,  IMD  has developed  a  web-based  GIS  (Geographic  Information  System)  heatwave  portal,  where current heatwave conditions and 5-day forecasts are displayed at the district and sub-city scales on interactive maps. IMD has also developed a Climate Hazards and Vulnerability Atlas of India for 13 major meteorological hazards, including heatwaves. This Atlas, hosted on  a  GIS-based  web  platform,  provides  district-level  maps  of  hazard  occurrence  and vulnerability for each month and annually, and identifies hotspots with high hazard potential and higher vulnerability for heatwaves.
- (b) IMD issues impact heat wave forecasts and warnings in a colour-coded format, considering different  meteorological  parameters  like  maximum  temperature,  minimum  temperature, relative humidity, winds, and their co-existence & persistence. The heat action plan & any thresholds  within  it  are  developed  under  the  aegis  of  the  National  Disaster  Management Authority (NDMA) and other concerned disaster management authorities.
- (c) IMD issues heat wave alerts tailored to geographic characteristics-plain, hilly, or coastal stations-to better capture region-wise temperature extremes. Heat wave and temperature outlooks are provided on multiple temporal scales (from seasonal to monthly, followed by extended range and medium to short range) to facilitate both anticipatory and immediate response  measures.  IMD  issues  a  dedicated  heat  wave  bulletin  specifically  for  Indian Railways,  ensuring  operational  preparedness  for  this  critical  sector.  Heat  wave  and temperature  information  is  disseminated  via  a  web-based  GIS  system,  making  the  data accessible  to  various  sectoral  stakeholders  for  customised  use.  The  heat  wave  bulletins include  generalised  impact  assessments  and  recommended  actions  aligned  with  NDMA guidelines.  The  generation  of  sector-wise  heat  thresholds  (e.g.,  for  health,  agriculture, energy) is possible, contingent on the availability of detailed impact data from those sectors.

********