पिछली दशक में प्रबल लु (ताप लहर) की क्षमता, बारंबारता और अवधि में वृद्धि को देखते हुए, क्या आप मानते हैं कि 'लू लहर' को आपदा प्रबंधन अधिनियम, 2005 के तहत एक अधिसूचित आपदा के रूप में शामिल किया जाना चाहिए? In light of the increased intensity, frequency and duration of heat waves in the last decade, do you think the time has come to include 'heat wave' as a notified disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2005?

Heat waves refers to the period of abnormally high temperatures over extended duration of time. [Usually set temperature is over 40°C in plains and 30°C in hill areas and it is over 45°C to 6.4°C over the average normal].

The intensity, frequency and duration of heat waves have increased due to:-

i) Delayed onset of monsoon in the country

ii) Urban heat island effect

iii) Deforestation activities - agriculture mining etc.

iv) Increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Impact of heat waves:

Therefore, there is a need to include the 'heat wave' as notified disaster. This would help in:

The increased intensity and frequency of heat wave disproportionately affects vulnerable seasons - old, poor, women and elderly. There is a need to adopt Heat plans to counter the same.