India, Aug. 20 -- The Government of India issued the following news release:

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.

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.

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.

The rest of the document can be viewed at https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2158403

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.