India Heat Action Plan
Global climate change is causing an increase in mean average surface temperatures, leading to extreme weather events like heat-waves. It is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the pre-monsoon (April to June) summer season. Heat –waves typically occur between March to June, and in some rare cases even extend till July. Heat waves are more frequent over the Indo-Gangetic plains of India. On an average, 5-6 heat wave events. Extreme heat, causing health risks like heat stress and heat stroke, poses a challenge to human safety and sustainability. Rising temperatures and intensified heat waves, also known as “silent disasters,” are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
Heat wave in India
Heatwaves in India are causing increased mortality and morbidity, with 6,167 heat-related deaths reported between 2010 and 2018. The year 2015 reported the most fatalities 2,081(1). Heat wave also caused death of wildlife, birds, poultry in states and most of the zoos in India.
| Year | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| No. of deaths | 269 | 12 | 729 | 1433 | 548 | 2081 | 700 | 375 | 20 |
Heat wave in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
In last decade, due to rapid climate change, urbanization and rapid industrialization effects, we felt effects of Heat Wave almost every year with high intensity and frequent episodes. With heat wave affecting conditions from 2015-2018 the number of deaths reported across the state were as 58, 446, 463, and 775 respectively and which is showing an increasing tread of the deaths and pays emphasis on prevention of mitigation of the same.
In May 2010, Ahmedabad faced a deadly heat wave with peak temperatures of over 46°C causing a spike in illness and death. Over 4,462 (all-cause) deaths occurred in May 2010, comprising an excess of 1,344 (all-cause) deaths, an estimated 43.1% increase when compared to the average of the same month in 2009 & 2011. Following this, the Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG) supported by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) helped the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to launch the Heat Action Plan (HAP) in Ahmedabad in 2013(2). This was first such preparedness plan for extreme heat events in South Asia. A study in 2018 evaluated the effectiveness of the Ahmedabad HAP before and after implementation. The study found that an estimated 2,380 deaths were avoided in the post-HAP period. The findings suggest that the Ahmedabad HAP protected health against mortality associated with extreme heat (3).
Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan
Climate change causes higher temperatures and longer heat waves, impacting India. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation developed a comprehensive heat action plan after a deadly heat wave in 2010, becoming the first Indian city to do so.
Purpose
This Heat Action Plan aims to provide a framework for the implementation, coordination, and evaluation of extreme heat response activities in Ahmedabad that reduce the negative health impacts of extreme heat. The Plan’s primary objective is to alert those populations most at risk of heat-related illness that extreme heat conditions either exist or are imminent, and to take appropriate precautions.
Key strategies
Building Public Awareness and Community Outreach- The initiative aims to raise public awareness and community outreach about heat waves, promoting prevention practices through various media channels, including text messages, emails, radio, and social media, especially targeting vulnerable populations through inter-personal communication from March to June annually.
Initiating an Early Warning System and Inter-Agency Coordination- The AMC has established an Early Warning System and Inter-Agency Coordination to notify residents of predicted extreme temperatures extreme temperatures forecasted by the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Meteorological Centre located in Ahmedabad, involving government agencies, health officials, hospitals, emergency responders, and media outlets.
Capacity Building Among Health Care Professionals- Health care professionals are being trained to recognize and respond to heat-related illnesses, aiming to reduce mortality and morbidity during extreme heat events.
Reducing Heat Exposure and Promoting Adaptive Measures by launching new efforts, including a draft city-wide Cool Roofs Program. The citywide Cool Roof Program includes mandatory, voluntary, and low-income housing focused measures.