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Building Heat Resilience
Context:
India has long witnessed the devastating impact of natural disasters, yet many still believe such calamities are unlikely to affect them personally.
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- This mindset, however, is proving increasingly dangerous as climate change intensifies extreme weather events.
- Among these, heatwaves have emerged as a silent killer, posing severe risks to public health, infrastructure, and economic stability.
- Despite their growing frequency and intensity, public awareness regarding heatwave preparedness remains alarmingly low.
Growing Threat of Heatwaves
- Major Hazard: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), responsible for disaster preparedness and response, has classified heatwaves as a major hazard.
- Rising Temperatures: Global temperatures continue to rise at an alarming rate, making it increasingly difficult to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
- According to climate scientist Professor James Hansen, January 2025 marked the 18th month in 19 where global average surface air temperatures surpassed the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold.
Multi-Dimensional Impact of Extreme Heat
- Public Health: Over 90% of India’s population is vulnerable to heat-related health complications, placing immense strain on healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
- Economic Productivity: The World Bank estimates that by 2030, heat-related declines in labor productivity could lead to 34 million job losses in India alone.
- Water Scarcity: According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), 54% of India’s land experiences high to extreme water stress.
- With only 4% of the world’s freshwater but 18% of its population, India faces a severe water crisis exacerbated by heatwaves.
- Energy Consumption: Around 70% of India’s electricity comes from thermal power plants, which require significant water for cooling.
Policy Interventions and Adaptive Measures
- Mitigation: Recognising these challenges, NDMA has prioritised heatwave mitigation.
- The authority has actively supported states, districts, and cities in developing Heat Action Plans (HAPs)—structured frameworks designed to minimise the adverse impacts of extreme heat.
- Annual national workshops are held to refine these plans and enhance implementation efforts.
- In an effort to raise awareness and encourage proactive measures, NDMA is hosting a two-day national heatwave workshop aimed at fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
- National Framework: NDMA has also introduced a National Framework for Heatwave Mitigation and Management (2024), shifting focus from short-term emergency responses to long-term preparedness and resilience. Key aspects of this framework include:
- Localised Vulnerability Assessments: Tailoring heatwave response strategies to the specific needs of different regions.
- Community Participation and Multi-Sectoral Engagement: Encouraging collaboration between government agencies, urban planners, meteorologists, and public health experts.
- Institutional Capacity Building: Strengthening local governance structures to ensure sustainability and effective implementation.
- Financial Mechanisms: Allocating resources to support adaptive measures, including infrastructure upgrades and public outreach initiatives.
Implementation Challenges and Scalable Solutions
The NDMA is emphasising the need to scale up successful interventions and promote local ownership of heatwave preparedness efforts. Some key adaptive strategies include:
- Adoption of Cool Roofs and Green Infrastructure: Encouraging urban development models that incorporate heat-mitigating elements such as reflective roofing materials and green spaces.
- Early Warning Systems and Alerts: Strengthening coordination between the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and NDMA to provide localized heat alerts via the newly acquired Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).
- Workforce Protection Measures: Revising working hours, distributing cooling vests, and establishing shaded rest areas to reduce heat stress among outdoor laborers.
- Public Cooling Centers: Setting up heat shelters in high-risk urban areas with drinking water stations to offer temporary relief to individuals vulnerable to heat exposure.
- Healthcare System Preparedness: Ensuring hospitals and primary healthcare centers are equipped with heat-management protocols to handle heat-related illnesses effectively.
- Water Conservation Strategies: Promoting rainwater harvesting and establishing community water kiosks to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures on water availability.
With over 250 HAPs in place, India must now focus on public awareness and heat-resilient urban planning. A multi-pronged approach—blending technology, policy, and community action—can strengthen cities against rising temperatures.
