23-04-2025
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority's heat wave action plan aims to reduce adverse impacts of extreme heat
Vijayawada: The
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority
(APSDMA) has unveiled the
Heat Wave Action Plan 2025
, outlining measures to tackle extreme temperatures in the state. The plan proposes activating cooling centers such as public buildings, malls, temples, and schools, as well as temporary night shelters for those without housing or access to water and electricity.
Additionally, the plan suggests expanding access to shaded areas for outdoor workers, slum communities, and other vulnerable sections of the population. Electronic scrolling boards will be set up to display temperature and forecasts at junctions and public places, and working hours under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) will be rescheduled to avoid intense heat.
The plan also recommends ensuring the availability of shade, drinking water, and ORS packets at bus stands and auto stands. The APSDMA has prepared the Heat Action Plan 2025 with short, medium, and long-term goals and strategies to provide a framework for implementing, coordinating, and evaluating extreme heat response activities.
The plan will be implemented in three phases: pre-heatwave season (January to February), heatwave season (March to July), and post-heatwave season (August to December). Key components include monitoring climate conditions, identifying vulnerable populations, and building capacity among healthcare professionals to recognize and respond to
heat-related illnesses
.
The APSDMA has emphasized the need for a coordinated multi-agency approach to manage heat waves, moving beyond operational-level management to a strategic level with clear roles and responsibilities. At present, the problem of heat waves is being managed at an operational level, but needs to be managed at a strategic level with clear roles and responsibilities in managing heat waves.
