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 waves' 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 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 pruning etc

(iv) Increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Impact of heat waves:

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

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