14 February 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. The heat of the moment

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Editorial Page – Page No. – 12)

Analysis of the news:

Complacency Towards Disasters and Rising Heatwaves

• A common misconception among people in India is that disasters and accidents are problems for others, not themselves.
• This mindset leads to a lack of preparedness, even as climate change exacerbates the frequency of natural calamities.
• Among these, heatwaves have emerged as a silent killer, increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration.
• The public’s limited awareness of heatwave-related risks poses a significant challenge, despite the severe threats these extreme temperatures pose to health, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

National Efforts to Tackle Heatwaves

• Recognizing heatwaves as a serious hazard, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has undertaken initiatives to spread awareness and develop mitigation strategies.
• A two-day national workshop is being organized to bring together stakeholders for discussions on effective heatwave management. However, global efforts to curb rising temperatures have fallen short.
• With January 2025 marking yet another breach of the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, the urgency to act has never been greater.
• The impact of these rising temperatures extends across sectors, affecting public health, economic productivity, and infrastructure sustainability.

Health and Economic Consequences

• Heatwaves pose severe health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.
• About 90% of Indians are at risk of heat-related illnesses, and healthcare systems, especially in rural areas, struggle to cope.
• The economic ramifications are just as alarming—outdoor workers, who make up a large portion of India’s workforce, suffer productivity losses.
• The World Bank predicts that heat stress could cause 34 million job losses in India by 2030, underscoring the economic burden of extreme heat.

Water Scarcity and Agricultural Stress

• Elevated temperatures intensify water evaporation, increasing demand for an already scarce resource.
• Over 54% of India’s land experiences high-to-extreme water stress, and groundwater depletion continues to worsen.
• With only 4% of the world’s freshwater and 18% of its population, India faces a major water crisis.
• Heatwaves also threaten food security by reducing crop yields, increasing irrigation demands, and causing frequent agricultural failures.

Impact on Energy and Infrastructure

• The power sector is particularly vulnerable to heatwaves.
• Rising temperatures drive up electricity demand due to increased use of air conditioners and cooling systems, straining power supply.
• With 70% of India’s electricity coming from thermal power plants that rely on water for cooling, excessive heat reduces efficiency and heightens the risk of power shortages.
• This impacts industrial output and overall economic stability.

NDMA’s Heat Action Plans (HAPs) and Mitigation Strategies

• In response, NDMA has prioritized heatwave mitigation, encouraging states, districts, and cities to formulate Heat Action Plans (HAPs).
• These plans provide a structured approach to managing heatwaves, guiding local authorities on preparedness, response, and mitigation strategies. Annual national workshops further help refine these plans.
• NDMA has also issued guidelines for state and local administrations to ensure decentralized and effective heatwave management.

Advancing Heatwave Mitigation Through Innovation

• Public awareness campaigns are key to educating communities about heatwave risks and preventive measures.
• The National Framework for Heatwave Mitigation and Management (2024) shifts the focus from short-term responses to long-term resilience.
• By incorporating localized vulnerability assessments and community participation, the framework ensures tailored solutions for different regions.
• Institutional capacity-building and financial mechanisms have also been embedded to sustain these initiatives.

Strengthening Stakeholder Collaboration

• The success of heatwave mitigation depends on multi-sectoral collaboration.
• Government agencies, meteorologists, public health experts, and urban planners must work together to implement and refine HAPs.
• States are being encouraged to formally classify heatwaves as disasters to ensure better resource allocation.
• Additionally, designated officers are assigned clear responsibilities, and HAPs are periodically updated based on data and impact assessments.

Scaling Up Solutions for a Heat-Resilient Future

While the number of HAPs across India has grown, implementation challenges persist. The focus now is on scaling up successful interventions and fostering local ownership. Key measures include:

• Adoption of Cool Roofs and Green Infrastructure to lower urban temperatures.
• Early warning systems with improved IMD-NDMA coordination to issue timely alerts.
• Use of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) for efficient heatwave information dissemination.
• Revised work hours and cooling vests for outdoor laborers.
• Establishment of cool rooms with drinking water facilities in high-risk urban areas.

Addressing Water Scarcity and Strengthening Healthcare Systems

• Water scarcity remains a critical issue, necessitating solutions like rooftop rainwater harvesting and water kiosks in vulnerable communities.
• The healthcare system must also integrate basic heat management protocols in hospitals and primary healthcare centers to better manage heat-related illnesses.

Conclusion:

• With over 250 Heat Action Plans in place, the key challenge is raising awareness and transforming Indian cities into heat-resilient ecosystems.
• Sustainable urban planning, policy implementation, and community-driven approaches will be essential in mitigating the devastating effects of heatwaves in the coming years.