In 2022, India faced a severe toll from heatwaves, resulting in 730 deaths across various states, the alarming statistic was shared by Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, in the Lok Sabha.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been proactive in improving monitoring and early warning systems to minimize the loss of life and property during such extreme weather events. These efforts are crucial as climate change continues to exacerbate conditions that lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves.
ALSO READ – India’s multidimensional poverty rate down to 11.28% in 2022-23 from 29.17% in 2013-14
The Lok Sabha discussion revealed the grim statistics of heatwave-related deaths from 2019 to 2022, provided by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB). States like Bihar, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest numbers of fatalities over these years. For instance, Bihar saw an increase in deaths from 215 in 2019 to 78 in 2022, while Punjab reported 130 deaths in 2022 alone.
To address the devastating impact of heatwaves, the government has outlined several measures. The State disaster management authorities have resources available through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to support affected communities. If additional financial assistance is required, the Central Government considers requests in accordance with guidelines for the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).
The IMD’s steps to improve monitoring and early warning systems include issuing seasonal and monthly outlooks, extended range forecasts of temperature and heatwave conditions, and developing a district-wise heatwave vulnerability atlas. These measures are intended to assist state government authorities and disaster management agencies in planning and taking appropriate action.
Moreover, the IMD has enhanced its forecasts and warning dissemination services by utilizing modern tools such as YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, X platform, and Instagram for timely public outreach. Real-time heatwave information and warnings are also made available on the Web-GIS platform, and Heat Action Plans (HAPs) are jointly implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and state governments in 23 states prone to heatwave conditions.
Despite these efforts, the scale of the challenge is immense. A recent report by UNEP and GRID-Arendal, titled “Spreading like Wildfire: The Rising Threat of Extraordinary Landscape Fires,” underscores the need for a radical shift in government spending on wildfires, calling for a focus on prevention and preparedness rather than reaction and response. The report warns that climate change and land-use changes will make wildfires more frequent and intense, with extreme fires projected to increase globally by up to 50 percent by the end of the century.
Wildfires and heatwaves are interconnected phenomena, both exacerbated by climate change. The report emphasizes the need for better understanding of wildfire behavior and adaptive land and fire management. It calls for policies, legal frameworks, and incentives to encourage appropriate land and fire use. Ecosystem restoration, such as wetlands and peatlands restoration, and the reintroduction of species like beavers, are highlighted as crucial strategies to mitigate wildfire risks and rebuild better after fires.
The impact of heatwaves and wildfires extends beyond immediate fatalities. They pose significant threats to public health, particularly among vulnerable populations, and impose substantial economic costs on low-income countries struggling to rebuild. Environmental damage, including watershed degradation and soil erosion, poses long-term challenges, further highlighting the need for comprehensive and proactive management strategies.
In 2024, India’s heatwaves had already claimed over 100 lives and led to more than 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases. Delhi reported the highest confirmed death toll with 76, while Uttar Pradesh’s Relief Commissioner Office recorded 51 confirmed deaths and 65 suspected deaths. Public health experts believe that the actual number of heat-related deaths may be undercounted, with up to 1,116 people dying each year between 2008 and 2019 due to heat.
Follow Climate India for more Environmental News. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
