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India Gazette
a day ago
- Health
- India Gazette
India has taken a proactive and forward-thinking approach to extreme heat risk management under leadership of PM Modi: Dr P K Mishra
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Mishra, has emphasised the urgent need to address extreme heat as a global crisis, echoing the call from the UN Secretary-General. Delivering the keynote address during the Special Session on Extreme Heat Risk Governance at Geneva on Friday, he underlined that rising temperatures pose a systemic risk to public health, economic stability, and ecological resilience, according to a PMO statement. India welcomes the UNDRR's initiative to advance the Common Framework for Extreme Heat Risk Governance as a platform for shared learning, guidance, and collaboration. Mishra emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has taken a proactive and forward-thinking approach to extreme heat risk management. He pointed out that India has moved beyond disaster response toward integrated preparedness and mitigation strategies. Since 2016, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has developed comprehensive national guidelines on heatwave management, revised in 2019, which laid the foundation for decentralised Heat Action Plans (HAPs). He acknowledged the pioneering Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan, which demonstrated how early warnings, inter-agency coordination, and community outreach can save lives. 'Over 250 cities and districts across 23 heat-prone states have operational Heat Action Plans, supported by NDMA's advisory, technical, and institutional mechanisms', stressed the Principal Secretary, underscoring that strengthened surveillance, hospital readiness, and awareness campaigns have significantly reduced heatwave-related mortality. Mishra highlighted that India's approach is whole-of-government and whole-of-society, engaging ministries from health, agriculture, urban development, labour, power, water, education, and infrastructure. He noted that public health institutes, research groups, civil society organisations, and universities are playing a crucial role in supporting local governments in improving heat action plans. 'Extreme heat deeply impacts communities, and India has actively incorporated traditional wisdom and local experiences into its response', stressed Dr Mishra. He noted that schools have become catalysts for behavioural change, educating children about climate resilience. He also emphasised that hospitals and primary health centres must be strengthened to ensure swift and effective emergency responses. Outlining India's transition from a preparedness-only approach to long-term heatwave mitigation, including cool roof technologies, passive cooling centres, urban greening, and the revival of traditional water bodies, Shri Mishra affirmed that India is integrating Urban Heat Island (UHI) assessments into city planning. Mishra announced a major policy shift, stating that National and State Disaster Mitigation Funds (SDMF) can now be used for heatwave mitigation. This allows local governments, private sector entities, NGOs, and individuals to co-finance prevention and mitigation projects, fostering shared responsibility. Mishra acknowledged key challenges that remain and called for a global focus on developing a localized heat-humidity index based on real-time data to enhance early warning systems, advancing affordable and culturally appropriate building technologies and passive cooling innovations, and addressing equity concerns, as extreme heat disproportionately affects women, outdoor workers, the elderly, and children. 'Heatwaves are transboundary and systemic risks, particularly for densely populated urban areas', stressed Dr Mishra, urging the international community to enhance technological collaboration, data sharing, and joint research on heat resilience. He called for the Common Framework to provide accessible knowledge, research, and practical solutions, alongside institutional and financial support mechanisms. As per the statement, Mishra affirmed India's full commitment to sharing its expertise, technical capacities, and institutional strengths with global partners, ensuring a resilient, coordinated, and proactive global response to extreme heat.(ANI)
News18
a day ago
- Health
- News18
India Proactive On Extreme Heat Risk Management: PM's Principal Secretary
Last Updated: Mishra emphasised that India's approach to heatwave management is a whole-of-government and whole-of-society effort, involving multiple ministries and stakeholders. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr PK Mishra, has emphasised the urgent need to address extreme heat as a global crisis, echoing the call from the UN Secretary-General. While addressing a Special Session on Extreme Heat Risk Governance at Geneva on Friday, he underlined that rising temperatures posing a systemic risk to public health, economic stability, and ecological resilience, and India welcomes the UNDRR's initiative to advance the Common Framework for Extreme Heat Risk Governance as a platform for shared learning, guidance, and collaboration. Mishra emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has taken a proactive and forward-thinking approach to extreme heat risk management. He pointed out that India has moved beyond disaster response toward integrated preparedness and mitigation strategies. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) developed national guidelines on heatwave management in 2016, revised in 2019, facilitating decentralised Heat Action Plans (HAPs). He acknowledged that the Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan showcased the effectiveness of early warnings, inter-agency coordination, and community outreach in saving lives. 'Over 250 cities and districts across 23 heat-prone states have operational Heat Action Plans, supported by NDMA's advisory, technical, and institutional mechanisms", stressed the Principal Secretary, underscoring that strengthened surveillance, hospital readiness, and awareness campaigns have significantly reduced heatwave-related mortality. Mishra emphasised that India's approach to heatwave management is a whole-of-government and whole-of-society effort, involving multiple ministries and stakeholders. He highlighted the crucial role of public health institutes, research groups, civil society organisations, and universities in supporting local governments to enhance heat action plans. 'Extreme heat deeply impacts communities, and India has actively incorporated traditional wisdom and local experiences into its response", stressed Dr Mishra. He noted that schools have become catalysts for behavioural change, educating children about climate resilience. He also emphasised that hospitals and primary health centres must be strengthened to ensure swift and effective emergency responses. Outlining India's transition from a preparedness-only approach to long-term heatwave mitigation, including cool roof technologies, passive cooling centres, urban greening, and the revival of traditional water bodies, Mishra affirmed that India is integrating Urban Heat Island (UHI) assessments into city planning. Mishra announced a significant policy change, allowing National and State Disaster Mitigation Funds to be utilised for heatwave mitigation. This enables local governments, private sector entities, NGOs, and individuals to co-finance projects, promoting shared responsibility for prevention and mitigation efforts. He acknowledged key challenges that remain and called for a global focus on developing a localized heat-humidity index based on real-time data to enhance early warning systems, advancing building technologies and passive cooling innovations that are affordable and culturally appropriate and addressing equity concerns, as extreme heat disproportionately affects women, outdoor workers, the elderly, and children. 'Heatwaves are transboundary and systemic risks, particularly for densely populated urban areas", stressed Dr Mishra, urging the international community to enhance technological collaboration, data sharing, and joint research on heat resilience. He called for the Common Framework to provide accessible knowledge, research, and practical solutions, alongside institutional and financial support mechanisms. Mishra reaffirmed India's commitment to sharing its expertise, technical capabilities, and institutional strengths with global partners to foster a resilient, coordinated, and proactive global response to extreme heat. First Published: June 07, 2025, 15:13 IST
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
India takes the lead in tackling extreme heat risks, says PM's Principal Secretary at UN meet
NEW DELHI: India has adopted a proactive and forward-looking approach to managing the rising risks of extreme heat, said Dr P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, during a special session on Extreme Heat Risk Governance in Geneva on Friday. Delivering the keynote speech, Dr Mishra highlighted that rising temperatures now pose serious risks to public health, economic stability, and the environment. He welcomed the UNDRR's Common Framework for Extreme Heat Risk Governance, calling it a much-needed platform for global learning, guidance, and collaboration. He stressed that India has moved beyond just responding to disasters and is now focused on preparedness and long-term mitigation. 'Since 2016, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued national guidelines on heatwave management, revised in 2019. These laid the groundwork for decentralised Heat Action Plans (HAPs),' he said. Dr Mishra also echoed the UN Secretary-General's call to treat extreme heat as a global crisis. He pointed to the pioneering Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan as an example of how early warnings, coordination among agencies, and community outreach can save lives. 'Over 250 cities and districts across 23 heat-prone states in India now have operational Heat Action Plans,' he added. These are supported by NDMA through advice, technical tools, and institutional support. Efforts like heat surveillance, hospital readiness, and awareness campaigns have led to a significant drop in heat-related deaths.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Tackling heat: Planning to beat the invisible disaster
In India, the very notion of summer is being rewritten by climate change in 2025, as record-breaking temperatures scorch some regions while unexpected rains unsettle others. But the latest scientific evidence is clear: We are stepping into an era defined by intense and prolonged heat and rising humidity levels. India is no stranger to high temperatures, but something is changing. The heat is lasting longer, arriving earlier, and pushing the limits of human endurance. It's no longer just a meteorological problem but an institutional challenge and an economic crisis. Unlike floods or cyclones, extreme heat leaves no visible trail of destruction. It creeps up on us — through restless nights, breathless afternoons, drained workers, silent hospital admissions, and wilting yields on farms. The numbers are stark. Across the world, about 2.2 billion children — that's almost every child — will be exposed to frequent heatwaves by 2050. The equivalent of 35 million jobs could be lost in India by 2030 due to heat stress. But extreme heat has long fallen through the cracks of governance — 'no one's baby,' as it is sometimes called in policy circles. Is it the responsibility of health departments? Disaster management? Urban development? Or environmental ministries? We must go beyond the acuteness of heat stress and address the chronic nature of the problem. The question before us is no longer if we will face heat stress, but whether we are prepared for its cascading and compounding impacts. Three priorities must now define our approach to beating the heat. First, overhaul city-level Heat Action Plans (HAPs) to account for ward-level vulnerabilities to heat risk. HAPs are India's structured response to a growing climate crisis. Odisha was the first state to develop one in 1999, followed by Ahmedabad's launch of South Asia's first city-level HAP in 2013. These plans focus on preparedness, early warning systems, public awareness, and long-term mitigation measures such as urban greening and cooling shelters. But as the impacts of extreme heat intensify, it's clear that we need better coordinated, data-driven efforts. Heat doesn't affect everyone equally — slums tend to be hotter than planned housing complexes, and groups such as the elderly, the marginalised, gig workers, police personnel, and outdoor labourers are especially vulnerable. Yet, a 2023 study found that 35 of the 38 HAPs reviewed lacked risk and vulnerability assessments — tools that are essential to identifying where interventions are most needed. First, the rise of relative humidity in traditionally dry regions of north India, and the increase in warm nights in three-fourths of all districts, both of which severely hinder the body's ability to cool down and recover, thereby compounding heat stress. This makes a strong case for HAPs that map local risks at a granular level. Heat is deeply contextual — what's unbearable in Mumbai may be tolerable in Jaipur — and so must our response be. That's why it is important to enable city-specific and ward-level HAPs grounded in science and scaled through technology. We are supporting over 50 cities across five states to develop these plans, with the aim of jointly scaling to more than 300 cities in heatwave-prone states by 2027. Second, balance immediate emergency measures with long-term heat resilience planning. Cities must prioritise long-term resilience strategies, in addition to short-term emergency preparedness, to tackle rising heat stress. While political and economic factors often drive cities to prioritise important life-saving emergency interventions, cities and states (Goa and Gujarat, for instance) are beginning to focus on longer-term adaptation as heat stress becomes more chronic. The National Disaster Management Authority's eight-step checklist for HAPs already encourages this mix. We recommend a three-tiered strategy. First, create a national heat resilience initiative, modelled on the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project, that allocates funds for emergency cooling shelters, heat and health early warning systems in high-risk areas. The 16th Finance Commission should include this in its recommendations, building on the precedent of the 15th Finance Commission's funding for flood and drought management. For medium- to long-term action, HAPs must be embedded within broader climate adaptation, disaster management, cooling, and public health frameworks — ensuring convergence between State Action Plans on Climate Change, State Disaster Management Authorities, and National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health. Simultaneously, urban planning missions like AMRUT and PMAY should integrate heat mitigation into building codes and design guidelines, while enabling adoption of passive cooling measures and cool roofs. Third, enhance heat-health early warning systems by building collaborative data infrastructure between the meteorological department, the ministry of health and family welfare, and research institutions. This will enable city- and ward-level health risk forecasting beyond weather alerts. Finally, data and dashboards won't be enough, cities need financing to become heat resilient. Heatwave is now eligible under disaster mitigation funds. This unlocks access to 20% of the total State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) for heatwave-related interventions. However, to ensure efficient use of this fund, states should conduct scientific risk assessments to identify heat hotspots. Crucially, this funding must prioritise long-term solutions such as urban greening, cooling shelters, and infrastructure upgrades. Moreover, when states declare heatwaves as a notified disaster, they become eligible to access 10% of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). However, SDRF allocations are restricted to relief and compensation — such as ex gratia support for deceased persons or support for crop and livestock losses — rather than for proactive or preventive solutions. Since only 30% of total disaster funding is available for heatwave-related interventions, it is crucial to align and converge heat action with existing schemes and programmes to reduce duplication and maximise resources. For example, as part of recently developed HAPs across 10 cities in Gujarat, 10 existing schemes were identified that could unlock significant funding for heat resilience. Overall, we need national attention and ambition. India reduced cyclone deaths through early warnings and cyclone shelters. Why not apply the same urgency to heat? Heat is not the future. It is here and now. It cannot be invisible anymore. With science, technology, an equity lens, macroeconomic sensitivity, and greater political will, we can make our responses more practical and visible. Arunabha Ghosh is the CEO of Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). The views expressed are personal
