Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Earth Sciences addresses concerns regarding the disproportionate impact of heat stress on vulnerable populations. It acknowledges global research indicating that the poor, marginalized, migrants, subsistence workers, women, and the elderly are more susceptible to heat stress. India has implemented Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in 23 states since 2013, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) providing crucial meteorological support.
Key Points / Main Content:
Impact of Heat Stress:
* Globally, studies suggest the poor, marginalized, migrants, subsistence workers, women, and the elderly are more prone to heat stress.
* In India, specific heat-related data or research on the extent of impact on these groups is currently unavailable.
Climate Hazard Vulnerability Atlas:
* The IMD has published a Climate Hazard Vulnerability Atlas of India for heatwaves.
* The atlas is intended for disaster management sectors to identify vulnerable districts and implement preventive measures at the district level.
Heat Action Plans (HAPs):
* HAPs became operational on an experimental basis in Ahmedabad in 2013.
* Currently, HAPs are operational in 23 states, coordinated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with various agencies, including IMD.
* HAPs are designed by local agencies based on administrative and management requirements.
* IMD provides meteorological information, monitoring, forecasts, and early warnings for HAP development and implementation.
Impact Analysis:
Disaster Management Sectors:
* Impact: Can identify vulnerable districts affected by heatwaves.
* Action Required: Utilize the Climate Hazard Vulnerability Atlas for preventive and adaptive measures.
Local Level Agencies:
* Impact: Responsible for designing and implementing Heat Action Plans.
* Action Required: Develop HAPs based on local needs and coordinate with relevant stakeholders.
India Meteorological Department (IMD):
* Impact: Crucial role in providing meteorological information and warnings.
* Action Required: Provide meteorological support for HAP development, monitor conditions, and issue timely forecasts and early warnings.
State and Central Agencies, including NDMA:
* Impact: Involved in the coordination and implementation of HAPs.
* Action Required: Collaborate with local agencies and IMD to support HAP implementation.
Local Government Bodies and Associated NGOs:
* Impact: Implement actions based on HAPs at the ground level.
* Action Required: Take actions as defined in the HAPs, based on meteorological information from IMD.
Key Entities Referenced
D K ARUNA: Member of Parliament who raised the question about the impact of heat stress.
EATALA RAJENDER: Member of Parliament who raised the question about the impact of heat stress.
JITENDRA SINGH: Minister of State Independent Charge for Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, who provided the answer to the question.
India Meteorological Department (IMD): The agency that published the Climate Hazard Vulnerability Atlas of India and provides meteorological information for Heat Action Plans.
Climate Hazard Vulnerability Atlas of India: A publication by the India Meteorological Department, prepared for heatwaves across the country.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): The agency coordinating with various State and Central Agencies for Heat Action Plans.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: City where the Heat Action Plan became operational on an experimental basis in 2013.
Heat Action Plan (HAP): A plan designed by local level agencies to address heatwave conditions, with support from IMD and NDMA.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4375
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 20THAUGUST, 2025
IMPACT OF HEAT STRESS
4375. SMT. D K ARUNA:
SHRI EATALA RAJENDER:
Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:
(a) whether heat-related data indicate that the impact of heat stress is worst on the poor,
the marginalised, migrants, subsistence workers, women and the elderly and women
are additionally impacted due to social norms such as working in the kitchen, the need
to wear clothing due to cultural requirements and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any research have been done in this regard and if so, the details thereof along
with its reports and present status thereof; and
(c) whether in the middle of the 19th century, researchers and scientists made
observations that urban areas have a higher temperature than rural areas arriving at the
inference that much of the rise in temperature is human-made and yet it took another
150 years for the first Heat and Health Action Plans (HHAP) to be prepared in the
European countries and the first such efforts were from the non-tropical regions and
in the last decade more than 23 Indian States and around 140 cities across India have
State and city-level HHAPs and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a)-(b) In India, there are no heat-related data or research studies to indicate the extent of
impact of heat stress on the categories of people mentioned here. However, some
studies conducted in other parts of the world have shown that the poor, the
marginalised, migrants, subsistence workers, women, and the elderly are more prone
to the impact of heat stress.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has published the Climate Hazard &
Vulnerability Atlas of India, prepared for heatwaves across the country, and this is
based on casualties associated with the severe heatwaves. It is mainly for the users of
the disaster management sectors to identify the vulnerable districts affected by the
heatwave for taking preventive and adaptive measures. This vulnerability maps,
vulnerability assessment are at the district level.
https://imdpune.gov.in/hazardatlas/abouthazard.html.(c) Yes. It was known to researchers during older days that urban areas have a higher
temperature than rural areas. Heat Action Plan (HAP) became operational on an
experimental basis in Ahmedabad during the summer of 2013, and till today, it has
been operational in 23 States by the National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA) in coordination with various State and Central Agencies, including IMD,
prone to high temperatures leading to heatwave conditions, and developing heat
action plans. HAPs are designed by the local level agencies, considering the
administrative and management requirements at the ground level. IMD plays a crucial
role by providing meteorological information and warning services. Subsequently, the
actions are taken by different stakeholders at the local government bodies and
associated NGOs. IMD provides all support as and when required in the level
development of HAPs for meteorological information, monitoring day-to-day
conditions, forecasts at seasonal to monthly scales, early warning for timely
preparedness and implementation of mitigation measures well in advance.
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