Blazing Cities: India’s Urban Struggle Against Heatwaves

12 Jun Blazing Cities: India’s Urban Struggle Against Heatwaves

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs”  and the Topic  Blazing Cities: India’s Urban Struggle Against Heatwaves.

SYLLABUS MAPPING: 

GS-3- Environment- Blazing Cities: India’s Urban Struggle Against Heatwaves

FOR PRELIMS

What is a heatwave? What factors contribute to the rise in heat waves in India?

FOR MAINS

What is the role of IMD in monitoring and issuing heatwave warnings?

Why in the News? 

Delhi continues to reel under an intense heatwave, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for Thursday due to dangerously high temperatures. On Wednesday, mercury levels soared across the city, ranging from 40.9°C to a scorching 45°C. The heat index, which factors in humidity to reflect the actual feel of the heat, reached a staggering 51.9°C. Ayanagar emerged as the hottest location at 45°C, followed closely by other areas like Palam (44.5°C), Ridge (43.6°C), Pitampura (43.5°C), and Lodhi Road (43.4°C). Delhi’s base weather station at Safdarjung also recorded 43.3°C. The situation reflects a growing concern over rising urban temperatures and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in India’s capital.

Environmental and Climatic Dimensions of Heatwaves

IMD Heatwave Alert Criteria

1. Plains Temperature Threshold: A heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature is ≥ 40°C in plains.
2. Hilly Areas Threshold: In hilly regions, a heatwave is declared when the temperature is ≥ 30°C.
3. Coastal Areas Threshold: For coastal stations, heatwave conditions are met when the temperature is ≥ 37°C.
4. Departure from Normal: Heatwave: When the temperature is 4.5°C to 6.4°C above normal. Severe Heatwave: When the temperature is ≥ 6.5°C above normal.
5. Absolute Temperature Criteria: If the maximum temperature touches ≥ 45°C, it is considered a heatwave.
≥ 47°C is classified as a severe heatwave, irrespective of normal deviation.
6. Duration Requirement: The conditions must persist for at least 2 consecutive days to officially declare a heatwave.
7. Heat Index Consideration: IMD also considers the heat index (a combination of temperature and humidity) to reflect the “real feel” of heat, especially in urban areas.
8. Colour-Coded Warnings:
Green: No action needed
Yellow: Be updated
Orange: Be prepared
Red: Take action – extreme heat conditions expected

Health and Human Impact of Heatwaves

1. Heatstroke and Dehydration: Prolonged exposure can cause heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and fatal heatstrokes, especially among the elderly, children, and outdoor workers.
2. Worsening of Pre-existing Conditions: High temperatures aggravate cardiovascular, respiratory, and kidney diseases.
3. Spike in Mortality and Morbidity: Past events like the 2015 heatwave in India caused over 2,000 deaths, showing the severe toll on human life.
4. Mental Health Stress: Extreme heat increases fatigue, irritability, and can lead to sleep disorders and mental stress.
5. Reduced Labour Productivity: Outdoor workers (construction, agriculture) suffer reduced output due to unsafe working conditions.
6. Urban Vulnerability: Slum dwellers, people without access to cooling, and homeless populations are at greater risk.
7. Overburdened Healthcare Systems: Hospitals see a surge in emergency cases, straining public health infrastructure.
8. Water and Electricity Shortages: Increased demand for cooling and hydration leads to utility stress, affecting health indirectly.

Government Response to Heatwaves

1. Heat Action Plans (HAPs): Initiated by states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Delhi. Include early warning systems, public advisories, cooling centres, and coordination among departments.
2. IMD Early Warnings: Real-time alerts and heatwave forecasts shared with NDMA, SDMAs, and local bodies for timely action.
3. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Issues guidelines and supports the preparation of Heat Action Plans across heat-prone regions.
4. Urban Cooling Measures: Encouraging green buildings, cool roofs, tree plantations, and water sprinkling in cities.
5. School and Work Timings: State governments revise school hours and restrict outdoor labour during peak heat hours.
6. Public Health Interventions: Distribution of ORS, mobile health camps, increased emergency services, and awareness campaigns.
7. MGNREGA Guidelines: Mandates work timings to be adjusted and rest provisions ensured during peak summer months.
8. Inter-Agency Coordination: Joint efforts by Health Ministry, Urban Affairs, Labour, Environment, and local administrations for holistic management.

Long-term Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

1. Urban Planning Reforms: Promote green infrastructure, cool roofs, reflective building materials, and ventilation-friendly designs in urban areas.
2. Afforestation and Green Cover Expansion: Increase tree plantations in cities and rural areas to reduce surface temperatures and improve air quality.
3. Water Management Systems: Build sustainable water storage, reuse systems, and ensure drinking water availability during peak summers.
4. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Develop heat-resilient housing, schools, and public buildings, particularly for vulnerable populations.
5. Early Warning Systems Upgrade: Strengthen meteorological forecasting, localized heat alerts, and mobile-based dissemination to the public.
6. Policy Integration: Embed heatwave resilience into national climate policies like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and Smart Cities Mission.
7. Livelihood Adaptation: Support climate-resilient livelihoods, shift work hours, and provide insurance and safety nets for informal workers.
8. Public Awareness and Education: Long-term campaigns on hydration, cooling techniques, and community-based preparedness.
9. Research and Data Collection: Invest in heatwave impact studies, urban heat mapping, and health surveillance for evidence-based policymaking.
10. International Collaboration: Leverage best practices from global partners (e.g., Heat Action Plans from the US or Australia) and climate funding mechanisms.

Way forward 

1. National-Level Heatwave Policy: Formulate a centralised national heatwave mitigation framework integrating IMD forecasts, NDMA guidelines, and state Heat Action Plans, with legal backing for enforcement.
2. Mandatory Implementation of Heat Action Plans: Ensure all states and major urban centres have localized Heat Action Plans (HAPs) with periodic revisions based on climatic data and vulnerability mapping.
3. Strengthen Climate-Health Linkages: Establish climate-health surveillance systems to track heat-related illnesses and deaths, enabling early intervention and improved public health preparedness.
4. Sustainable Urban Design Norms: Introduce mandatory “heat-resilient” urban planning norms in building codes – including green roofs, thermal insulation, shaded streets, and urban forests.
5. Cool Roof and Reflective Surface Initiatives: Scale up programs like Telangana’s Cool Roof Policy across urban India, especially in low-income housing and slum redevelopment.
6. Localised Heat Index Monitoring: Deploy real-time heat index monitors in densely populated areas to guide public advisories, urban planning, and emergency responses.
7. Empowering Vulnerable Groups: Provide targeted support to outdoor workers, the elderly, slum dwellers, and homeless populations, such as hydration booths, rest shelters, and insurance coverage.
8. Water-Energy Nexus Planning: Invest in resilient water and energy systems that can handle increased summer demand without service breakdowns.
9. Community-Based Preparedness: Encourage citizen participation through RWAs, school campaigns, and mobile apps to spread awareness and promote precautionary behaviour.

Conclusion

The recurring heatwaves in Delhi and across India serve as a stark reminder of the growing climate emergency and the pressing need for resilient urban planning, public health preparedness, and long-term adaptation. With temperatures crossing life-threatening thresholds and heat indices reaching extreme levels, the phenomenon is no longer just a seasonal inconvenience but a significant public health and socio-economic challenge. While the government’s efforts like Heat Action Plans, early warning systems, and emergency response mechanisms, are commendable, there is an urgent need to institutionalize and upscale these measures across the country.

Prelims Questions

Q. With reference to heatwaves in India, consider the following statements:
1. A heatwave is declared in the plains when the maximum temperature is 4.5°C above normal and crosses 40°C.
2. The Urban Heat Island effect leads to lower night-time temperatures in cities.
3. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) uses only air temperature to issue heatwave alerts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Mains Questions

Q. Heatwaves have become more frequent, intense, and deadly in Indian cities like Delhi due to a combination of climate change, poor urban planning, and rising population vulnerabilities. Discuss the environmental, health, and governance dimensions of heatwaves in India and suggest long-term mitigation and adaptation strategies.

                                                                                                                                                         (250 words, 15 marks)