Latest news with #NDMA
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Indian Express
NDMA advisory to protect India's informal workers from heatwave impact
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an advisory on June 12 to protect informal workers from the impact of heat waves in Indian cities, with a special focus on women workers. According to the advisory, the Indian informal workforce comprises over 80 per cent of the urban workforce. These include street vendors, construction workers, rickshaw pullers, domestic workers, sanitation staff, delivery workers, and women gig workers. The advisory emphasises the recognition of these groups as a priority and vulnerable population, urging their inclusion in the Heat Action Plans (HAPs) and the allocation of a dedicated budget for their safety. It also calls for updating worker lists in consultation with labour departments, unions, and worker groups. The recent surge in temperatures has led to various health issues, including heat stroke, exhaustion, and dehydration, which in turn can increase the risk of accidents. Additionally, the pressure to meet deadlines often exacerbates stress and anxiety, prompting workers to continue working despite physical discomfort. The advisory recommends early morning or late evening shifts for outdoor workers with extended breaks from noon to 4 pm. A special focus should be on creating a safe work environment for women working during non-peak hours. Due to the high temperatures, the NDMA suggested safe drinking water facilities with shade and rest areas in high-footfall areas. The Authority has proposed a post-heatwave analysis and policy development, given the increased risk of heat-related illnesses. These include designing formal workspaces such as vending zones, construction areas with built shade and cooling infrastructure, and integrating climate-responsive design into master plans. Furthermore, multiple social security mechanisms have been issued. These include consideration of heat-stress-specific insurance under health insurance, compensation for lost wages or absenteeism due to heat, and providing temporary unemployment aid for climate-disrupted work among many.
New Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Too hot! States told to take care of women workers
NEW DELHI: In its first heat-related advisory for informal workers, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has instructed all state governments to implement immediate protective measures for them, particularly women, during the ongoing heat wave affecting Indian cities. This marks the first time the government has identified heat as a significant health concern for informal workers and has acknowledged the necessity for timely intervention. Previously, state governments have issued similar advisories to districts affected by heat waves to encourage prompt action. For the past fortnight, cities in North, East, and Central India have been enduring severe heat waves as monsoon winds have stalled. Many cities in Northern India are experiencing maximum temperatures of around 45oC, resulting in stuffy, warm nights. Cities in Eastern India fare no better with the weather hot and humid. Mrinalini Shrivastava, NDMA director, underlined that severe heat waves shifted working hours to early morning and late evening, which may impact the safety of women workers. 'Women informal workers face unique challenges while adapting to heat, including travel safety and increased vulnerability during early and late evening shifts,' said Shrivastava. The advisory recommends developing a Heat Action Plan for informal workers. This plan should include flexible working hours, mapping high-risk areas, early warning systems, access to drinking water, shade, heat protection kits, and support for income security following heat waves.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala high court slams Centre over indecision on Wayanad loan relief
Kerala high court slams Centre over indecision on Wayanad loan relief KOCHI: Kerala HC on Friday pulled up Union government for its delay in taking a definite stand on granting loan waiver to those affected by the July 2024 landslides at Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad. The Centre cited omission of a relevant section in the Disaster Management Act. The court was hearing a suo motu petition on rehabilitation of the landslide victims. Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and P M Manoj observed the Centre cannot take the position that it lacks the power to waive loans for the landslide victims due to the omission of Section 13 of the Act, which earlier empowered the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to recommend relief in repayment of loans. "We want to know categorically, through an affidavit filed by someone responsible in Union government, whether they are stating that they do not have the power to direct banks to waive loans. We can understand a reluctance to act, but at least have the courage to say so. The decision must be taken by the Union govt. Let the Union take a decision," court said. While NDMA might no longer have the statutory authority to recommend such relief, the Union government still retains residual powers to take a decision, the court said. The landslides had claimed 298 lives and caused extensive property destruction.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Slight respite from heat as mercury drops by over two degrees; rain forecast for today
The national capital received a slight respite from the heatwave on Friday due to a partly cloudy sky and gusty winds, as the maximum temperature dropped to 41.2 degrees Celsius, 1.3 notches above normal, from 43.9 degrees Celsius recorded the previous day. According to the Safdarjung weather observatory, the minimum temperature for the day was 31 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast 'very light' rainfall on Saturday, and the maximum temperature between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius. According to the weather department, the Capital might receive 'very light' to 'moderate' rain till June 19, with the maximum temperature likely to remain under 40 degrees Celsius. Though 'very light' rain was forecast for Friday, no such rain was recorded at any weather station in the Capital. Patients influx Doctors at several hospitals in the city said that the number of patients complaining of heat-related ailments has increased over the past few days. 'Patients complaining of low blood pressure, diarrhoea, dizziness, abdomen pain, vomiting, and dehydration are increasing. Those with severe illness are being admitted,' said Dr. Gude Tejaswini at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, adding that several patients had fallen ill following prolonged exposure to the sun. Heat advisory The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an advisory for informal workers. The advisory instructed the authorities to encourage split shifts with extended breaks between 12.00 p.m. and 4 p.m. 'Ensure safe drinking water is available at all informal workplaces. Install hydration stations in high-footfall areas such as markets and transit hubs. Encourage water breaks and provide refillable bottles,' read the advisory dated Thursday. The NDMA also ordered the distribution of oral rehydration solution, glucose, cooling towels, caps, and breathable clothes to workers. 'Set up temporary shade structures at workplaces and congregation points. Push for shaded pedestrian paths and covered bus stops in urban planning,' added the advisory. Power cuts Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the city, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that amid scorching heat, people are suffering 'frequent power cuts' and 'inflated electricity bills'. 'This is the condition in Delhi today. Firstly, the BJP government raised the tariffs on electricity, making it unaffordable. Secondly, they've allowed long power cuts to become routine, forcing people to spend sleepless nights,' said AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj in a press conference. There was no response from the Delhi BJP till the time of going to press.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala high court slams Centre over indecision on Wayanad loan waiver
Kochi: Kerala high court on Friday pulled up the Union govt for its delay in taking a definitive stance on granting loan waivers to those affected by the landslides at Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad, citing the omission of the relevant section in the Disaster Management Act. The court was hearing a suo motu petition on rehabilitation of the landslide victims. A bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and P M Manoj observed that the Centre cannot take the position that it lacks the power to waive loans for the landslide-affected due to the omission of Section 13 of the Act, which had earlier empowered the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to recommend relief in the repayment of loans. "We want to know categorically, through an affidavit filed by someone responsible in the Union govt, whether they are stating that they do not have the power to direct banks to waive loans. We can understand a reluctance to act, but at least have the courage to say so. The decision must be taken by the Union govt. Let the Union take a decision," it said. The court said while the NDMA might no longer have the statutory authority to recommend such relief, the Union govt still retained residual powers to take a decision. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Referring to the affidavit filed by an undersecretary of the NDMA, which informed the court about the omission of Section 13, it said jurisprudential instructions should not emanate from an undersecretary in New Delhi. The landslides, which struck the hill district on July 30, 2024, had claimed 298 lives and caused extensive property destruction. Appearing for the Centre, assistant solicitor general A R L Sundaresan submitted that the court may need to consider whether the amendment to the Act has a prospective or retrospective effect. The bench, however, responded that such a discussion was unnecessary as Article 73 of the Constitution clearly empowers the Union govt to act in such situations. "Please don't tell us the Union govt is powerless in a country with a quasi-federal structure, where residual power rests with the Union," it said. Sundaresan further clarified that under Article 73, the executive power of the Union extends to any matter on which Parliament is competent to legislate and that where there is a legislative vacuum, the executive can still act. He added that while there is no doubt that the Centre has the power, the issue is whether it ought to exercise that power in a case such as this, especially by compelling lending banks to waive loans. The bench, however, expressed its dissatisfaction with this position. The court later granted the assistant solicitor general's request for three weeks' time to submit the Centre's stand and adjourned the case. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
