Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Earth Sciences addresses concerns regarding loss of life and health crises due to intense heat waves across India. The document provides details on the government's response, including data on heatstroke deaths, considerations for declaring heat waves as natural disasters, and technical/financial assistance provided to state governments for implementing Heat Action Plans. It references data from 2018-2022 and ongoing initiatives by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Heat Wave Impacts:**
* Intense heat waves cause loss of life and health crises, with the elderly being at greater risk.
* Common health impacts include dehydration, cramps, exhaustion, and heatstroke.
* High temperatures lead to increased cases of acute gastroenteritis, food poisoning, anxiety, and behavioral changes.
* Most victims are agricultural laborers, coastal community dwellers, and people living below the poverty line with outdoor occupations.
* **Disaster Relief and Financial Assistance:**
* State Disaster Management Authorities have resources through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF).
* The Central Government considers financial assistance requests from states per National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) guidelines.
* Heat waves are not currently included in the notified list of disasters eligible for NDRF/SDRF assistance.
* States can use up to 10% of SDRF for immediate relief for locally defined disasters not on the central list, subject to conditions.
* **Government Initiatives and Early Warning Systems:**
* The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) implements central sector schemes uniformly, without Statewise fund allocation.
* The India Meteorological Department (IMD) enhances monitoring and early warning systems, including:
* Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in 23 heatwave-prone states, implemented with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Governments.
* Seasonal, monthly, and extended-range forecasts of temperature and heatwave conditions.
* Dissemination of early warnings via social media.
* Districtwise heatwave vulnerability Atlas.
* Hot weather hazard analysis map.
* National and State-level preparedness meetings.
* Implementation of Common Alert Protocol (CAP) for timely alerts.
* Web-based "Climate Hazard Vulnerability Atlas of India" for identifying hotspots.
* **Public Information Dissemination:**
* Weather information is provided to stakeholders, including Union Government ministries, State Governments, and local bodies.
* The IMD uses various platforms to inform the public: mass media, internet, IMD Apps, and social media.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Governments:**
* Impact: Required to manage heatwave impacts using SDRF/SDMF resources, implement Heat Action Plans, and utilize weather information from IMD.
* Action Required: Develop and implement Heat Action Plans, utilize SDRF/SDMF funds effectively, and coordinate with IMD for weather updates and alerts.
* **India Meteorological Department (IMD):**
* Impact: Responsible for enhancing monitoring and early warning systems, providing weather information, and collaborating with NDMA and State Governments.
* Action Required: Continue to improve forecasting accuracy, disseminate timely alerts through various platforms, and support State Governments in implementing Heat Action Plans.
* **National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):**
* Impact: Collaborates with State Governments to implement Heat Action Plans and develop alert protocols.
* Action Required: Work with States to implement and improve Heat Action Plans and ensure effective dissemination of alerts.
* **Citizens (especially vulnerable populations):**
* Impact: Face health risks during heat waves and rely on government initiatives for protection.
* Action Required: Stay informed about weather forecasts and alerts, follow safety guidelines during heat waves, and seek assistance when needed.
Key Entities Referenced
National Disaster Management Act: A national law related to disaster management in India, under which heat waves could potentially be declared as natural disasters.
National Disaster Management Authority: The apex body for disaster management in India, involved in implementing Heat Action Plans.
India Meteorological Department: An agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences responsible for weather forecasting and monitoring, including heat waves.
National Disaster Response Fund: A fund managed by the Central Government of India for disaster relief and rehabilitation.
State Disaster Response Fund: A fund managed by the State Governments of India for disaster relief and rehabilitation.
Heat Action Plans: Plans implemented in 23 states prone to heatwave conditions to minimize the impact of heat waves.
Ministry of Earth Sciences: The ministry responsible for implementing central sector schemes related to weather and climate, including heat wave management.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India that has reported deaths due to heatstroke.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4381
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 20TH AUGUST, 2025
LOSS OF LIVES AND HEALTH CRISIS DUE TO INTENSE HEAT
†4381. DR. ANAND KUMAR:
Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of loss of lives and health crisis caused by intense heat
waves in many places of the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to declare heat wave as Natural Disaster under the
National Disaster Management Act so that relief and rehabilitation schemes can be
brought under the ambit of the said Act and if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, whether any such proposal is likely to be considered in near future; and
(d) whether the Union Government has provided any technical or financial assistance to the
State Governments for implementing Heat Action Plan and if so, the details thereof,
State-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) Yes. The latest data on deaths due to Heat/Sun Stroke in the State/UT-wise during 2018-
2022, as available from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA), is given in Annexure-1.
Abnormal temperature events can impose severe physiological stress on the human body,
as the body operates best within a fairly normal temperature range. There is a marked
relationship between human mortality and thermal stress. During unusually hot episodes,
deaths from different causes can rise significantly, with the elderly at greater risk than
others.
Four Common heat health impacts resulting from excessive exposure to heat waves
include dehydration, cramps, exhaustion and heatstroke. It is also learnt that there is a
sharp rise in the number of cases of acute gastroenteritis and food poisoning due to the
spoilage of food and the reduction of its shelf life due to high temperatures. There is also
a rise in the number of cases of anxiety, palpitations, nervousness and behavioural change
linked to extreme temperature rise. The occupational profile of most of the victims was
ascertained as agricultural labourers, coastal community dwellers and people living
below the poverty line (BPL) category, with mostly outdoor occupations.
(b)-(c) The State disaster management authorities have their resources available through the
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to
support it. If there is a request from the States for financial assistance, the Central
Government considers it in accordance with the relevant guidelines for the National
Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).Currently, the notified list of disasters eligible for National Disaster Response Fund
(NDRF)/State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) assistance includes 12 disasters, namely
cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides,
avalanches, cloud bursts, pest attacks and frost & cold wave. The issue of inclusion of
more calamities in the existing notified list of calamities was considered by the 15th
Finance Commission. The Commission, in para 8.143 of its report, had observed that the
list of notified disasters eligible for funding from the State Disaster Response Mitigation
Fund (SDRMF) and National Disaster Response Mitigation Fund (NDRMF) covers the
needs of the State to a large extent and thus did not find much merit in the request to
expand its scope.
However, a State Government can use up to 10% of the annual fund allocation of the
SDRF, subject to the fulfillment of certain prescribed conditions and norms, to provide
immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters that they consider to be 'disasters'
within the local context in the State and which are not included in the centrally notified
list of natural disasters.
(d) Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) implements the central sector schemes uniformly
throughout the country; hence, the allocation of funds is not State-wise. Funds are not
directly released to the State Governments from the MoES to implement the central
sector schemes.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in collaboration with various research
centers across the country, has undertaken several initiatives to enhance monitoring and
early warning systems. These efforts have significantly contributed to minimizing the
loss of life and property during extreme weather events, including heat waves. These
include:
Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in 23 States that are prone to heatwave conditions were
jointly implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in
collaboration with the State Governments.
Issuing seasonal and monthly outlooks, followed by extended-range forecasts of
temperature and heatwave conditions. The early warning and forecast information
are also disseminated through various social media platforms for timely public
outreach.
District-wise heatwave vulnerability Atlas over India to help State Government
authorities and disaster management agencies in planning.
The hot weather hazard analysis map of India incorporates daily data on
temperature, wind patterns and humidity levels.
A series of National and State-level heatwave preparedness meetings are
conducted much before the start of the summer season, with regular review
meetings from time to time during the season.
The weather information is provided to all the stakeholders, including the ministries of
the Union Government, State Governments and local Government bodies. The Common
Alert Protocol (CAP), developed by the NDMA, is also being implemented to
disseminate warnings and timely alerts by the IMD.
IMD has also brought out a web-based "Climate Hazard & Vulnerability Atlas of India"
prepared for the thirteen most hazardous meteorological events, which cause extensive
damage and economic, human and animal losses. The same can be accessed at
https://imdpune.gov.in/hazardatlas/abouthazard.html. This atlas will help StateGovernment authorities and disaster management agencies identify the hotspots,
including vulnerable urban and rural areas, and plan and take appropriate action to tackle
extreme weather events. This product is helpful in building Climate change-resilient
infrastructure. Further, the India Meteorological Department provides weather
information to the public through various platforms:
Mass Media: Radio/TV, Newspaper network (AM, FM, Community Radio,
Private TV), Prasar Bharati, and private broadcasters
Weekly & Daily Weather Video
Internet (email), FTP
Public Website (mausam.imd.gov.in)
IMD Apps: Mausam/Meghdoot/DAMINI/RAIN ALARM
Social Media: Facebook, X, Instagram, BLOG
i. X: https://twitter.com/Indiametdept
ii. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/India.Meteorological.Department/
iii. Blog: https://imdweather1875.wordpress.com/
iv. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mausam_nwfc
v. YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_qxTReoq07UVARm87CuyQwAnnexure-1
State/UT-wise deaths due to Heat/Sun Stroke during 2018-2022:
SN State/UT 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
1 Andhra Pradesh 97 128 50 22 47
2 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0
3 Assam 0 3 0 0 1
4 Bihar 64 215 53 57 78
5 Chhattisgarh 1 16 3 2 11
6 Goa 0 0 0 0 0
7 Gujarat 31 27 12 8 5
8 Haryana 56 46 23 14 27
9 Himachal Pradesh 0 0 0 1 0
10 Jharkhand 42 88 23 33 47
11 Karnataka 0 4 1 0 2
12 Kerala 1 3 0 0 0
13 Madhya Pradesh 15 33 7 2 27
14 Maharashtra 128 159 56 37 90
15 Manipur 0 0 0 0 0
16 Meghalaya 4 0 0 0 0
17 Mizoram 0 0 0 0 0
18 Nagaland 0 0 0 0 0
19 Odisha 40 84 13 15 38
20 Punjab 38 90 110 91 130
21 Rajasthan 43 54 23 1 12
22 Sikkim 0 1 0 0 0
23 Tamil Nadu 0 0 0 2 2
24 Telangana 107 156 98 43 62
25 Tripura 1 1 2 0 2
26 Uttar Pradesh 176 117 50 35 130
27 Uttarakhand 0 0 0 0 0
28 West Bengal 46 49 6 11 18
TOTAL STATE(S) 890 1274 530 374 729
29 A & N Islands 0 0 0 0 0
30 Chandigarh 0 0 0 0 0
31 D&N Haveli and Daman&Diu @ + 0 0 0 0 0
32 Delhi UT 0 0 0 0 1
33 Jammu & Kashmir @ * 0 0 0 0 0
34 Ladakh @ - - 0 0 0
35 Lakshadweep 0 0 0 0 0
36 Puducherry 0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL UT(S) 0 0 0 0 1
TOTAL (ALL INDIA) 890 1274 530 374 730
Source: As per data provided by the State, Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India, National
Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).‘+’ Combined
data of erstwhile D & N HAVELI AND DAMAN & DIU UT during 2018 and 2019;
‘*’ Data of erstwhile JAMMU & KASHMIR State Including LADAKH during 2018
and 2019; ‘@’ Data of newly created Union territory.
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