UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 23rd March 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs India’s Heatwave Challenge — Towards a Comprehensive Heat Strategy

India’s Heatwave Challenge — Towards a Comprehensive Heat Strategy

Why in News?

February 2025 saw early onset of heatwaves in Goa and Maharashtra, with Odisha and Telangana exceeding 40°C — unprecedented for a winter month. Night temperatures were 3–5°C above normal in 22 States/UTs. These trends reflect shifting climate baselines, with clear implications for public health, labour productivity, and urban resilience.

Also Read: Gaps in India’s Heat Action Plans (HAPs)

Rising Heat Stress in India: A Structural Challenge

India is among the most heat-vulnerable countries globally.
According to the Lancet Countdown Report (2023), India saw a 55% increase in heat-related deaths between 2000 and 2020.
The IMD (India Meteorological Department) has warned that heatwaves are becoming more frequent (5–6 events/year) and longer in duration, especially in central and northwest India.
The World Bank (2023) report “Climate Investment Opportunities in India’s Cooling Sector” notes that over 160–200 million people in India may be exposed to lethal heatwaves annually by 2030 without mitigation.

Current Preparedness Gaps (Based on Sustainable Futures Collaborative, 2024)

A study across nine Indian cities found:
- No long-term urban heat management strategy in place.
- Responses are emergency-focused, not systemic.

Short-Term Measures (Reactive):

Water kiosks, shifting school/work timings, hospital preparedness.

Missing Long-Term Interventions:

Cooling for vulnerable groups (slum dwellers, outdoor workers).
Heat-linked social insurance schemes for wage loss.
Heat-resilient urban planning (green cover, water bodies, building codes).
Mapping Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) and expanding local weather stations.
Training municipal staff for localised heatwave management.

Cooling Dilemma: Energy vs Environment

India is implementing the National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP, 2019) to provide sustainable thermal comfort.
However, the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in ACs raises concern over ozone depletion and GHG emissions.
The Kigali Amendment (to the Montreal Protocol) mandates phasedown of HFCs — India has ratified it (2021), aiming for a 85% cut by 2047.
The challenge lies in promoting passive cooling (ventilation, shade, green roofs) and sustainable urban design.

Reports and Indices to Quote

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines (2016) on Heatwave Management: India is the first country with a dedicated framework for city/state heat action plans.
IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6, 2023): South Asia will face longer heatwaves and wet-bulb temperatures breaching human survivability.
World Bank (2022): “South Asia’s Hotspots” — India may lose 2.8% of GDP due to productivity loss from heat stress by 2050.
IHD-UNDP Report (2021): Poor urban households spend 20–30% of income on cooling; access remains deeply unequal.

Policy Recommendations

National Heat Strategy:
- Embed within the National Adaptation Plan under India’s NDCs.
- Align with COP30 (Brazil, November 2025) commitments.
Recognise Heatwaves as Disasters:
- Under Disaster Management Act, 2005, to ensure formal budgetary allocation and compensation mechanisms.
City-Specific Heat Action Plans (HAPs):
- Mandate mapping of Urban Heat Islands, revise zoning laws, and integrate cooling provisions into Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT 2.0.
Equity in Cooling Access:
- Promote low-cost, energy-efficient cooling devices.
- Provide occupational safety provisions for informal workers (construction, street vendors).
Resilient Urban Design:
- Expand green cover (aim for 33% per National Forest Policy) and permeable open spaces.
- Encourage solar rooftops, green buildings, and cool roofing programmes (as initiated in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad).

Conclusion

India’s heatwave vulnerability is no longer a seasonal inconvenience — it is a recurring public health emergency. As COP30 nears, India must demonstrate climate leadership by institutionalising a comprehensive national heat strategy that balances adaptation, equity, and environmental sustainability. Proactive planning today will save millions of lives, livelihoods, and public resources tomorrow.