Heatwave alerts to reach the most exposed group
New Delhi: To make weather forecasting accessible to workers in the informal sector,
India Meteorological Department
's daily weather forecasts and heatwave alerts are being shared through community WhatsApp groups.
From Thursday, with the help of unions of informal workers, weather messages were displayed on posters and handwritten notices at labour chowks, waste segregation points and vending hubs.
The daily weather forecasts are being simplified into colour-coded warnings with easy illustrations and translated into local languages so even unlettered workers can understand them. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general, meteorology, IMD, said the aim was to combine the traditional knowledge of informal workers and the scientific meteorological knowledge.
A Met official said, "IMD is co-creating simplified, user-friendly heatwave warnings in Hindi in partnership with community members, ensuring the forecasts are not only understood but also actionable. This people-centric model empowers communities to adapt the alerts into localised formats, turning everyday workers into climate messengers."
In association with Greenpeace India and other informal workers' associations, IMD organised a workshop on Thursday to create awareness about summer heat.
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The workshop educated the informal workers about health risks posed by extreme weather, especially heatwaves, and explored ways to integrate early warning systems and health advisories into their daily routines.
Autorickshaw driver Naval Upadhyay, 40, said it was for the first time that someone had explained what a heatwave was and what step he could take to protect himself. "The heat has impacted our income because people avoid auto rides in the afternoon.
On Wednesday, I felt exhausted in the intense heat and had to take shelter in an ATM," he said, adding the workshop had prepared him for such days now.
Pooja Mehra, who works with a 10-minute delivery service, found the workshop informative. "We work continuously for hours during intense heat as we have to deliver items one after another. However, after attending the workshop, I realised that my water intake was less than it should be and I should try to take rest in the shade during the hottest hours," said Mehra, whose work area is Krishna Nagar.
Sahajamal Khan, a waste picker in Babarpur, said the unbearable heat affected his health. "My blood pressure suddenly dropped on Wednesday and I had to consult a doctor for medicines," Khan said. "Since I work in the open, the heat impacts my health. However, I learnt that I could take small measures such as drinking water regularly and covering my head to help beat the heat."
Akbar Ali, representative of Basti Suraksha Manch, said as a community directly impacted by the heatwave, they were taking the initiative to issue early warnings to people who needed them the most.
"We're not just sharing the information, we are organising, acting and protecting each other," he said.
Amruta of Greenpeace India said with rising deaths and hospitalisations, the informal community needed early alerts to prepare for adverse impacts. In addition, robust public infrastructure and effective response to the crisis by the health services were necessary, she said.
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