| Syllabus: GS-III, Subject: Environment, Ecology and Disaster Management, Topic: Disaster, Issue: Natural disasters |
Context: Governments at various levels have prepared heat action plans (HAPs) to address increasing heatwave severity and frequency.
- A heatwave is declared if the maximum temperature reaches specific thresholds: 40°C in plains, 37°C in coast, and 30°C in hills.
Heat action plans (HAPs):
- Aim to mitigate the adverse impacts of heatwaves by preparing strategies and measures at various government levels.
- Typically include assessing heat profiles, vulnerability, and response plans,
- They further have recommendations for early warning systems, public education, and infrastructure development.
Challenges to effective HAP implementation include:
- The need for localized heatwave definitions,
- Inconsistent vulnerability assessments and
- Inadequate consideration of vulnerable populations’ needs.
The way ahead:
- Allocate resources, integrate with urban resilience plans, and prioritize nature-based solutions
- Enhance dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders involved in HAP implementation.
- Ensure HAPs address diverse socio-economic conditions and adapt to climate variability.
