Context

A large part of the country is grappling with heatwaves and the consequent threat to public health and productivity can be severe.

Heatwave Challenges in India

• Heatwaves and Public Health: Severe threat to public health and productivity. 
  • 75% of India’s workforce in agriculture and construction exposed to heat.
• Economic Impact: According to a World Bank study, India might account for 43% of global job losses from heat stress by 2030.
  • Government data: Heatwave spread from 9 states in 2009 to 23 states in 2020.
  • Increase in average heatwave days from 7.4 to 32.2.

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Response to Heatwave

• National Guidelines and Action Plans: Post-2016, Centre drew national guidelines for heatwave prevention and management.
  • NDMA: Heatwaves declared when temperatures hit 45°C.
  • Regular heatwave warnings by IMD.
  • Dos and Don’ts package for heatwave management.
• Employer Adaptations: Heat-exposed work shifted to cooler night-time hours.
  • Reduction in heatwave-related deaths from 2,040 in 2015 to 27 in 2020.
• Need for Institutionalization: Expand and institutionalize heatwave management along with adaptation policies needed at both micro and macro levels.
• Water Crisis and Urban Policy: With reservoir levels falling to 35%, there is a urgent need for urban authorities to enforce water harvesting in high rises.
  • State governments need to reconfigure incentives for water-guzzling crops in favor of water-maximizing grains like millets.

Additional Measures to Tackle Heatwaves

• Tree Planting and Architectural Standards: Plant more trees in public spaces. Stipulate architectural standards to reduce air conditioning pressure.
• Work Hour Adjustments: Rework white-collar work hours to avoid peak temperatures.
• Energy Policies: Accelerate adoption of battery-storage technologies. Increase role of renewable sources like wind and solar in power generation.

Conclusion

Risk of heatwaves expected to grow exponentially thus India must adapt faster to mitigate heatwave impacts.

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