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India’s Heat Action Plans: Gaps and Challenges

Why in the News ?

A recent study by Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC) and leading global universities highlights that India’s Heat Action Plans (HAPs) lack long-term strategies. Despite covering 23 states, gaps in implementation, coordination, and funding hinder effective heat resilience measures, raising concerns amid rising heat-related fatalities.

Key Findings of the Study:

• The study analyzed HAPs from nine Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, focusing on their effectiveness and implementation challenges.
• Short-term measures like access to drinking water and altered work schedules were in place.
• However, long-term resilience strategies—such as urban cooling solutions, insurance for lost work, and fire management services—were either absent or poorly implemented.
• Heat mitigation efforts, like urban green spaces, lacked a targeted approach for the most affected populations.

Challenges in Implementation

• Limited funding restricts long-term interventions.
• Institutional constraints and poor coordination among government agencies hinder action.
• Current strategies focus mainly on healthcare response rather than preventive measures like infrastructure upgrades and electricity grid improvements.
• Stronger interdepartmental collaboration and increased investment are necessary to enhance India’s heat resilience.

Understanding Heat Action Plans (HAPs):

• HAPs serve as early warning and preparedness systems for extreme heat events.
• They outline short-term and long-term measures to reduce heat-related health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.
• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is implementing HAPs in 23 heatwave-prone states in collaboration with local authorities.
• Official data shows a rise in heat-related deaths, from 530 in 2020 to 730 in 2022, though 2024 saw a decline to 161 confirmed deaths.