01 April 2025 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1) 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? (15 marks, 250 words)

ANSWER

Recently, Large parts of north India, including Haryana and Delhi, reeled from severe heatwave conditions with the maximum temperature touching 54.4 degrees Celsius. Heat Waves are a period of unusually high temperatures as compared to what is normally expected over a region. The criteria for declaring a heatwave by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) are based on deviations from normal maximum temperatures, with specific thresholds for plains and hilly regions. Heat Waves typically occur between March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July.

AREAS IN INDIA PRONE TO HEATWAVES

• The Core Heatwave Zone (CHZ) spanning central, north, and peninsular India between Gujarat and West Bengal is prone to heatwave conditions every year, during the summer season; March to June and occasionally in July.
• Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, parts of Gangetic West Bengal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are the most heat-wave-prone states or regions of the country.

CAUSES OF HEATWAVES 

1. High Atmospheric Pressure Systems: These systems can trap warm air near the Earth’s surface and prevent the normal movement of air masses, leading to prolonged periods of hot weather. 
2. Global Warming: The long-term increase in Earth’s average temperature, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes, contributes to the frequency and intensity of heat waves. 
3. Urban Heat Island Effect: Urban areas with high population density, extensive concrete and asphalt surfaces, and limited vegetation tend to absorb and retain more heat, creating localized zones of higher temperatures. 
4. Drought and Dry Conditions: Prolonged periods of drought and lack of precipitation can dry out the soil and reduce available moisture, causing the land to heat up more quickly during heat waves. 
5. Climate Variability: Natural climate variations, such as El Nino and La Nina events, can influence weather patterns and increase the likelihood of heatwaves in certain regions. 
6. Human Activities: Local factors, such as land use changes, deforestation, and irrigation practices, can alter the surface characteristics of an area and contribute to heatwave development on a smaller scale. 

EFFECTS OF HEATWAVES 

1. Health Issues: Exposure to excessive heat can lead to various illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia. 
2. Economic Losses: Heatwaves acutely impact large populations, trigger public health emergencies, and lead to excess mortality and socioeconomic consequences, like lost work capacity. 
3. Strains Infrastructure: Power shortages accompanying heat waves disrupt health facilities, transport, and water infrastructure. 
4. Environmental Impact: Extreme heat can increase the risk of other disasters like droughts and wildfires. 
5. Decreases Agriculture Output: Agriculture and livestock can suffer from high temperatures. Plants are affected negatively by hot days, and some crops need cooler nights to grow well.

NEED TO INCLUDE IN DM ACT AS A NOTIFIED DISASTER:

1. Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, heatwaves are not currently listed as a notified disaster. The Act currently lists 12 categories of disasters, including cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, floods, and others, but does not specifically mention heatwaves.
2. This means that while funds like the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) can be used for these specified disasters, heatwaves do not qualify for such funds automatically.
3. If heat waves were to be included as a notified disaster, it would enable states to access funds specifically earmarked for disaster response and management, potentially enhancing their ability to mitigate and respond to the health and societal impacts of extreme heat events. 

SOLUTIONS AGAINST THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF HEAT WAVES 

1. Energy Conservation: Promote energy-efficient practices and technologies to lower overall energy demand. 
2. Emergency Response Planning: Establish emergency response plans to deal with heat-related health emergencies. Train healthcare professionals to recognize and treat heat-related illnesses promptly. 
3. Collaboration and Coordination: Collaboration with non-government organisations (NGOs) and civil society to provide support in distress situations. 
4. Heat Preparedness Plans: Develop and implement heat preparedness plans at the community and organizational levels. These plans should include early warning systems, communication strategies, and the establishment of cooling centers to provide relief during extreme heat events. 
5. Public Awareness and Education: Raise awareness about the dangers of heatwaves and educate the public on how to stay safe during hot weather. Promote the importance of staying hydrated, seeking shade, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours. 
6. Urban Planning and Design: Implement urban planning and design strategies to reduce the urban heat island effect. This includes incorporating green spaces, trees, reflective surfaces to cool urban areas and constructing heat-resistant infrastructure.

MEASURES TAKEN

• Governments at various levels — State, district, and city — have prepared heat action plans (HAPs). It aims to increase preparedness and lower the adverse impacts of extreme heat by outlining strategies and measures to prepare for, address, and recover from heat waves. The National Disaster Management Authority and IMD are reported to be working with 23 States to develop HAPs.
• It’s important to note that heat waves are complex events influenced by a combination of factors, and their occurrence and intensity can vary from one region to another based on a combination of these causes. In order to build resilience to extreme heat, strategies to be adopted include identifying vulnerable populations and creating heat preparedness plans, installing cool roofs and pavements, planting trees for shade, promoting energy efficiency, and using climate mapping tools for planning and understanding climate risks.

Read More – 29 March 2025 : Daily Answer Writing