Do you think the time has come to include 'heat waves' as a notified disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2005?

Heat wave is defined as plain's temperature reaching above 40°C or an instant increase of 5-6°C and hills temperature above 30°C as per IMD. Increased intensity, frequency and duration of heat wave due to: (1) Greenhouse gases and global warming (3.1°C rise - IPCC). (2) Urban heat island effects and condensation of slopes. (2) El Niño and LA Nina conditions. Inclusion of heat waves as notified disaster under Disaster Management Act, 2005 Favourable (1) Healthcare impact on health and lives of people. (2) Notified disaster status will help policy formulation and heat wave mitigation plans. (3) Mobilisation of resources and funds for mitigation and preparedness. (4) Proactive role of centre and state governments in disaster risk reduction.

However challenges remains: (1) Reduction in state government's money. (2) Safety autonomy may be compromised. (3) Difficulty in state government, no local & specific cause. Way forward (1) Supplementing efforts of disaster mitigation. (2) Notifying under OM Act 2005. (3) Holistic approach - need to tackle assigned climate change and heatwaves leads to productivity disease, losing lives so it can be notified as disaster under Disaster Management Act 2005.