A report released by the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), a New Delhi-based think tank, in late
March gives a detailed analysis of all 37 heat action plans (HAPs) across 18 states, critically
evaluating existing policy actions that are being taken to cope with the rising temperatures in the
Indian region.
Flagging that with soaring temperatures, Indian authorities need more resources and efficient
preparation, as the report revealed, HAPs are not only poorly funded but designed with a weak legal
framework.
The report, ‘How is India Adapting to Heatwaves? Assessment of Heat Action Plans with Insights for
Transformative Climate Action,’ is in hot pursuit of the IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report, released prior.
Emphasizing reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the next two decades to prevent a 1.5°C
temperature rise.
What are Heat Action Plans (HAPs)?
These are the primary policy responses to the economically devastating and life-threatening
implications of the heat wave. Predominantly structured around planning, responding, and sharing
strategies—before, during, and after heat waves.
Therefore, providing both immediate and long-term responses to tackle the adverse conditions.
Such plans are ideally engineered to prescribe an array of measures to tackle the devastating effects
of heat waves at regional and federal levels.
According to the Indian Meteorological Data (IMD), India has witnessed unprecedented heat waves
in 2022 and February 2023, which has been declared as the hottest February since 1901.
Do these plans provide what they aim for?
As the day progresses, regions are becoming hotter. Heat waves and heat stress have been unprecedented in metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, etc., especially during the
summer months.
In the 1900s, who would have thought that in the 21st century, heat waves could occur as early as
February? However, due to rapid urbanization, reduction or loss of green cover, energy-intensive
activities, etc., it has now become a reality.
European Heat Plan & the lessons it offers:
High temperatures periodically affect vast regions of European land. The life-threatening heat waves
of 2003 resulted in an array of regional and national efforts and research to handle the situation.
Based on such efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe formulated
a comprehensive heat-health action plan in 2008, which served as a blueprint for the prevention or
minimization of the lethal impacts of heat waves by different regional and federal structures.
Identifying the core elements that ideally encompass prevention activities. Such elements are –
1. Accurate and timely alert systems
2. Health-related health information plan
3. Long-term urban planning
4. Reduction in indoor heat exposure
5. Particular care for vulnerable population groups, etc.
However, at large, HHAPs dont raise the question of how and whether these core elements
evolve with changing climate, demographics, and rapid urbanization.
Who are the vulnerable groups?
Apart from causing deaths, rising temperatures can also aggravate existing health conditions.
Although such conditions impact every age group, their intensity varies.
Conceptual understanding explains that impact intensity varies from individual to individual depending on their ability to adapt and exposure to heat.
According to the HHAPs guide, the recognized vulnerable groups include the ageing groups, especially the elderly population constitutes the most significant population at risk of dying
from heat waves. Among the elderly population, certain groups are more vulnerable. For instance,
elderly people with dementia, as with aging, have a lower tolerance for heat, so much so that thirst
is sensed later than usual, and the sweating reaction is delayed.
In Europe, a significant percentage of the population falls under the category of an aging population.
Therefore, these factors amount to major concerns for such policies.
In addition, there are infants and children, people with chronic disease or medication, and those
whose socio-economic status has resulted in despair.
The case of Rome (Italy)
The mechanism of the ‘active surveillance programme’ in Rome illustrates an efficient and
coordinated framework between the Italian Department for Civil Protection and local authorities.
Specifically, the aspect of power sharing among various bodies and actors contributed to making the
Programme successful. General practitioners play a pivotal role in prevention plans to reduce heat
waves.
India Heat Action Plan (report findings)
According to the CPR, India is the most vulnerable country to heat in the world, as evident by the ‘critical review’ of 37 Heat Action Plans in India.
There has been an increase in heat stress, mortality rates, unbearable workplace conditions (labour productivity), and the possibility of vector-borne diseases emerging in society due to adverse circumstances.
Pointing out the fact that such developments strain the socioeconomic fabric of society.
The report has brought attention to the oversimplification of the hazard view and the irrelevant nature of most of the Heat Action Plans in the local context.
As it suggests, only ten out of the 37 HAPs reviewed seem to establish locally defined temperatures.
As the report further dissects the issue of heat hazard, it postulates that when defining heat hazard,
local circumstances like vegetation density are not adequately considered.
There is no one-size-fits-all stencil. With such a vast and diverse territory as India, a plan like this
must be fashioned with the local context in mind, leading to better and more comprehensive
mechanisms for short- and long-term assistance.
Another crucial issue is the poor recognition of vulnerable groups, leading to faulty resource allocation. Most plans acknowledge the broad categories of vulnerable groups; however, their solutions do not necessarily cater to their needs and problems.
Analyzing the twin problems & solutions:
As highlighted above, in the case of the active surveillance programme in Rome, one of the key features was the fact that the programme demonstrated collective responsibility.
Moreover, the reports indicate that HAPs in India have a weak legal foundation. Although it is not a
prerequisite for plans to succeed, the absence of or minimal legal foundation decreases the chance
of ‘bureaucratic incentives to comply with HAP’ procedures or instructions.
In addition, these disparities lead to the overburdening of a few mainstream agencies, which lack
accountability, and once again, resource distribution becomes far from equal.
The next step forward
As most heat action plans lack adequate hotspot intervention, a comprehensive vulnerability assessment is needed considering several factors such as vegetation density, demographic distribution, etc.
Given India’s heterogeneous climate and the dynamism shown in heat extremes, a proactive approach is required, as a one-size-fits-all approach is likely to lead to underprediction.