Parliament Question: Effect of Severe Heat Wave Conditions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 678 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 22ND JULY, 2026 EFFECT OF SEVERE HEAT WAVE CONDITIONS 678. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI: Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of the unusually severe heatwave conditions witnessed across several parts of the country during the year 2026 with temperatures crossing 45°C in many regions and reports indicating that heatwaves are arriving earlier and lasting longer due to climate change and possible El Niño conditions; (b) the details of heatwave-related deaths, water shortages and power demand recorded during the current year, State/UT-wise particularly in Maharashtra including tribal districts like Nandurbar; (c) whether the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other agencies have issued revised heat action guidelines for protection of outdoor workers, children, elderly citizens and economically weaker sections and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the details of the funds allocated for climate adaptation, urban cooling and heat mitigation measures, State/UT-wise? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a)-(b) No. The data indicate that unusually severe heatwave conditions were not witnessed across several parts of the country during the year 2026 relative to historical extremes. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) continuously monitors heatwave conditions across the country through its extensive observational network and issues routine forecasts and warnings. During the hot weather season of 2026, certain regions, particularly Vidarbha in Maharashtra, southern Uttar Pradesh, and northern Madhya Pradesh, recorded air temperatures exceeding 45°C. Climatological data confirms that these regions historically experience similar temperatures during the peak heatwave months of April and May. (c)-(d) The IMD, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, supports nationwide heat-resilient planning by generating and issuing daily special heatwave warning bulletins and localized Impact-Based Forecasts (IBF) at the meteorological sub-division and district levels. These forecasts contain risk-based advisories designed to safeguard vulnerable groups. These operational alerts are transmitted in real-time to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), District Magistrates, health departments, and public utility sectors. To enable institutional preparedness well in advance, the IMD regularly issues monthly and seasonal heatwave outlooks. The department provides foundational climate information, real-time weather observations, and risk analytics that empower the NDMA and state agencies to implement localized Heat Action Plans (HAPs) across various States. Most of these public- centric heatwave information products and risk-mapping tools are deployed on an open- access, web-GIS platform accessible to the general public at the designated URL (https://dss.imd.gov.in/dwr_img/GIS/heatwave.html). ******