**Executive Summary**
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed 21 states and NCT-Delhi to implement advance relief measures and integrated strategies to protect vulnerable populations from intensifying heat waves. Citing 3,712 heat-related deaths recorded by the NCRB between 2019-23, the Commission emphasizes adherence to NDMA guidelines and existing Standard Operating Procedures. State authorities are required to facilitate these measures immediately and submit consolidated action taken reports from the district level.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**NHRC Directives and Compliance**
* **Targeted Action:** The NHRC issued a formal call to 21 states and NCT-Delhi to take proactive steps to mitigate heat wave impacts and prevent casualties.
* **Procedural Adherence:** States are urged to ensure the seamless implementation of relief measures as per existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines.
* **Reporting Requirements:** The Commission has requested consolidated action taken reports collected from the district level for submission at the state/UT level.
**Vulnerability and Risk Assessment**
* **Susceptible Groups:** The document identifies marginalized populations, economically weaker sections, outdoor workers, the homeless, the elderly, children, and newborns as being at the highest risk.
* **Resource Deficits:** Vulnerability is exacerbated by a lack of adequate shelter and resources to combat the rising frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme heat.
* **Broader Impacts:** Beyond direct health risks, the Commission highlights that heat waves lead to the loss of livelihoods and an increased risk of fire accidents.
**Impact Analysis**
**Chief Secretaries of 21 States and NCT-Delhi**
**Impact**
They are held responsible for the administrative oversight and integrated implementation of inclusive heat-relief measures across their respective jurisdictions.
**Action Required**
They must plan and facilitate relief measures as per NDMA/SOP guidelines and submit consolidated action taken reports to the NHRC.
**Vulnerable Populations (Outdoor workers, homeless, elderly, children)**
**Impact**
These groups are disproportionately affected by health impacts, loss of livelihood, and fire risks due to extreme heat and inadequate resources.
**Action Required**
While these groups are the beneficiaries of the NHRC's intervention, the document implies they require access to adequate shelter, resources, and protected environments as provided by state relief measures.
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The statutory body that issued directives to 21 states and Delhi to implement relief measures protecting vulnerable populations from heat waves.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): The authority whose guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are the primary framework for mitigating heat wave impacts and preventing casualties.
21 States and NCT-Delhi: The specific geographic jurisdictions, including states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, where the heat wave relief measures must be implemented.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): The agency whose statistical data on heat-related deaths (2019-23) was cited to establish the urgency of the human rights intervention.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India asks 21 states and NCT-Delhi to
take advance action to protect the lives of the
vulnerable population from heat waves
Highlights risks faced by economically weaker sections,
outdoor workers, the elderly, children, newborns and
especially the homeless due to heat waves amid inadequate
shelter and resources
Calls for action taken reports to mitigate the impact of heat
waves and prevent casualties as per the existing SOPs in the
states or the NDMA guidelines
Posted On: 28 APR 2026 11:54AM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has asked the 21 states and NCT-Delhi to take
advance action and implement relief measures to protect the vulnerable population during heat waves in
the country. The states are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal
Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan,
Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
The Commission has observed that the rise in the frequency, duration and intensity of heat waves,
disproportionately affects the marginalised, economically weaker sections, outdoor workers and the
homeless due to the lack of adequate shelter and resources. The elderly, children, infants and newborns are
especially susceptible to the health impacts of extreme heat. Additionally, heat waves can lead to the loss
of livelihoods and an increased risk of fire accidents.
Therefore, the Commission, in a letter to the Chief Secretaries of these states and the union territory of
Delhi, has emphasised the urgent need for integrated and inclusive measures. Highlighting the National
Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data about the reported death of 3,712 people in India due to heat or
sunstroke between 2019-23, the Commission has urged them to plan and facilitate seamless
implementation of relief measures as per their existing Standard Operating Procedures or guidelines issued
by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to mitigate the impact of heat waves and
prevent casualties.
The Commission has called for consolidated action taken reports from the districts at the state/ UT level.
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NSK
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