Heat Action Plans

Heat action plans are comprehensive strategies implemented by governments, municipalities, and organizations to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme heat events on public health and well-being. These plans aim to safeguard vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, by providing guidance and resources to cope with high temperatures. Typically encompassing various measures ranging from early warning systems and heat advisories to the establishment of cooling centers and community outreach initiatives, heat action plans play a crucial role in enhancing resilience to heatwaves and ensuring the safety of communities during periods of intense heat.

Tags: GS- 1 – Important Geophysical Phenomena, GS-3- Climate Change- Environmental Pollution & Degradation

For Prelims: Centre for Policy Research, Heat Action Plans, Climate Change, Heat Waves.

For Mains: Critical Assessment of Heat Action Plans.

Table of Contents

Context:

The Centre for Policy Research (CPR), a prominent public policy think tank, released the first critical assessment indicating that many Heat Action Plans (HAPs) may not adequately address local population risks.
CPR analysed 37 HAPs across 18 States and found they often lack adaptation to local contexts and Parts of Odisha, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and others are expected to face heatwave conditions.

What are Heat Action Plans?

Heat Action Plans (HAPs) serve as primary policy responses to mitigate economically damaging and life-threatening heat waves.
A heat wave is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal.
They outline short-term measures, including alerts and inter-departmental coordination, to reduce human casualties. HAPs entail long-term strategies like infrastructure upgrades such as cool roofs and enhanced greenery to prepare for future heat waves based on data analysis.
Odisha first developed a Heat Action Plan in 1999 following more than 2,000 Heat Wave deaths in 1998. Followed by this, the first city level Action Plan was developed by Ahmedabad in 2013 following severe Heat Wave in 2010.
The National Disaster Management Authority and IMD are reported to be working with 23 States to develop HAPs. There is no centralised database on HAPs, but at least 23 HAPs exist at the State and city level, with a few States, such as Odisha and Maharashtra, laying out district-level HAPs.

Criteria for Declaring a Heat Wave:

Temperature Thresholds: Plains: Max temp ≥ 40°C and Hilly regions: Max temp ≥ 30°C
Departure from Normal: Heat Wave: Departure 4.5-6.4°C and Severe Heat Wave: Departure >6.4°C
Actual Max Temperature: Heat Wave: ≥ 45°C and Severe Heat Wave: ≥ 47°C
Declaration: Criteria met in ≥ 2 stations for ≥ 2 consecutive days.
Criteria for Coastal Conditions: Max temp departure ≥ 4.5°C with actual max temp ≥ 37°C.

IMD Colour-Coded Warnings:

What are the Key Findings:

Unprecedented Challenge: Extreme heat presents an unprecedented threat to health and productivity, with heatwaves becoming more frequent due to climate change. Landmark heatwaves (1998, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2022) in various years have resulted in substantial death tolls and economic losses, impacting labour productivity and essential sectors like water, agriculture, and energy.
Increase in Average Heat: By 2050, approximately 24 urban centres are forecasted to exceed average summertime highs of 35 degrees Celsius, disproportionately affecting economically disadvantaged communities.
Not Fit for Local Contexts: Most Heat Action Plans (HAPs) lack adaptation to local conditions, primarily focusing on extreme dry heat while neglecting the risks posed by humid heat and warm nights. Only 10 out of 37 HAPs seem to have locally specified temperature thresholds.
Underfunded HAPs: Majority of HAPs lack clear funding sources, with some relying on self-allocation by implementing departments, highlighting significant funding constraints.
Weak Legal Foundations: HAPs exhibit weak legal grounding, with no indication of their legal authority sources, potentially reducing bureaucratic commitment to their implementation.
Insufficient Transparency: Lack of a centralised repository and limited online accessibility render HAPs inadequately transparent, raising questions about their periodic updates and evaluation-based revisions.
India Most Vulnerable: Between 1951 and 2016, the occurrence of three-day concurrent hot day and hot night events has notably risen. Projections indicate a further two to four-fold increase by 2050 under the intermediate and high emission pathways of RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5.

HAPs recommend:

Establishing Early Warning Systems and Inter-Agency Coordination.
Providing indicators for heat waves and issuing forecasts and alerts.
Designating colour signals for heat alerts.
Conducting capacity-building programs for healthcare professionals to address heat-related illnesses.
Launching public awareness campaigns through various media platforms.
Collaborating with non-governmental organisations and civil society to enhance infrastructure, such as improving bus stands and water delivery systems, to mitigate heat wave conditions.
There is a need for the world to reduce emissions in the next two decades to prevent warm temperatures from reaching 1.5° C.

Way Forward:

Factoring in Regional Variations: Develop a comprehensive heat index to consider factors beyond temperature, such as humidity and warmer nights. Tailor HAPs to specific regional conditions, demographics, and infrastructure for more effective strategies.
Understanding Heat Hotspots: Include external factors like urban heat islands in heat wave analyses to understand temperature changes. Conduct thorough studies on heat hotspots to inform targeted interventions in affected areas.
Resource Allocation: Allocate dedicated budgets for HAPs to ensure effective implementation. Facilitate dialogues among stakeholders to develop financial mechanisms supporting informal workers during heatwaves.
Breaking Down Silos: Integrate HAPs with broader urban resilience and climate adaptation plans to optimise resource utilisation. Improve data collection and monitoring systems to assess HAP effectiveness over time.
Focus on Building Infrastructure: Enhance long-term measures by incorporating nature-based solutions alongside infrastructure development. Prioritise the creation of green and blue spaces in heat hotspot areas to mitigate extreme heat effects effectively.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q:1 What are the possible limitations of India in mitigating global warming at present and in the immediate future? (2010)

Appropriate alternate technologies are not sufficiently available.
India cannot invest huge funds in research and development.
Many developed countries have already set up their polluting industries in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Mains

Q:1 Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. (2013)

Source: (TH) (ET)

FAQs

1. What is a Heat Action Plan?

A Heat Action Plan is a comprehensive strategy developed by governments or organizations to mitigate the health risks associated with extreme heat events. It includes measures to protect vulnerable populations, provide information and resources, and coordinate responses during heatwaves.

2. Why are Heat Action Plans necessary?

Heatwaves pose significant health risks, especially to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Heat Action Plans are necessary to minimize the impact of extreme heat events by providing guidance on how to stay safe, offering cooling centers, and implementing early warning systems.

3. What are the key components of a Heat Action Plan?

Key components of a Heat Action Plan typically include:

Early warning systems: Alerts issued before heatwaves to inform the public and stakeholders.
Communication strategies: Clear guidance on how to stay safe during extreme heat, including staying hydrated, seeking shade, and avoiding strenuous activities.
Cooling centers: Locations where people can seek relief from the heat, often equipped with air conditioning and hydration stations.
Vulnerable population outreach: Targeted efforts to reach out to and support those who are most at risk during heatwaves, such as the elderly or homeless.
Coordination among agencies: Collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations to ensure an effective response to heatwaves.

4. Who should be involved in developing a Heat Action Plan?

Developing a Heat Action Plan requires collaboration between various stakeholders, including:

Government agencies responsible for public health, emergency management, and environmental protection.
Healthcare providers and hospitals.
Community organizations serving vulnerable populations.
Meteorological agencies providing weather forecasts and early warnings.
Local authorities and municipalities.

5. How can individuals contribute to Heat Action Plans?

Individuals can contribute to Heat Action Plans by:

Following guidance from authorities during heatwaves, such as staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and checking on vulnerable neighbors.
Being aware of cooling center locations and encouraging others, especially vulnerable populations, to utilize them.
Taking steps to reduce personal heat exposure, such as using fans or air conditioning, wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing, and seeking shade when outdoors.

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