Heat Action Plans

Heat waves in India are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged due to climate change.To mitigate the impact, Indian cities have adopted Heat Action Plans (HAPs) . However, a recent study by Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC) finds that these plans lack long-term strategies and effective implementation .

About Heat Action Plans (HAPs)

  • Definition: HAPs are early warning and preparedness plans designed to protect people from extreme heat events.
  • Key Objectives:
    • Immediate actions: Public awareness, information-sharing, emergency response.
    • Long-term strategies: Infrastructure improvements, policy changes, climate adaptation.
  • Introduced by: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in 2016 .
  • Implemented by: City and state authorities with technical support from climate and disaster experts.
Heat Action Plans

Study Overview

  • Study Overview conducted by SFC in collaboration with King’s College London, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Arizona , discussions with representatives from disaster management, health, city planning, and labor departments .

Major Findings

  • Short-Term Measures Exist But Are Poorly Implemented
    • Cities have basic emergency measures , such as:
      • Drinking water access in public places.
      • Adjusting work schedules for outdoor laborers.
      • Awareness campaigns about heat-related illnesses.
      • Medical response systems for heatstroke cases.
    • Problem: These measures are not effectively enforced or consistently available .
  • Lack of Long-Term Strategies
    • Critical long-term solutions missing , such as:
      • Protection for vulnerable workers:
        • No household or occupational cooling schemes .
        • No insurance for lost wages due to heat-related illnesses.
      • Cooling Infrastructure Weaknesses:
        • Lack of urban shade and green cover .
        • Insufficient creation of open spaces to reduce heat impact.
      • Power and Water Supply Challenges:
        • Weak electricity grid transmission to handle heat waves.
        • Poor distribution safety measures .
  • Cities Facing Highest Risk
    • Surat and other densely populated urban areas:
      • Projected to face the largest rise in dangerous heat index values (temperature + humidity).
      • More heat-related illnesses are expected due to urban heat island effect.

Key Challenges in Implementation

Challenges Impact
Lack of policy focus on prevention Plans focus on health responses rather than preventing heat stress.
Financial constraints Cities have limited funds to implement cooling infrastructure and adaptation strategies.
Coordination issues Different departments (disaster management, health, urban planning) do not work together effectively.
Lack of public awareness Many people do not recognize the seriousness of heat waves or do not have access to protective measures.

Recommendations for Strengthening HAPs

  • Infrastructure & Urban Planning Improvements
    • Increase tree cover & green spaces to reduce the heat island effect.
    • Implement cool roofing policies (white/reflective surfaces).
    • Improve electricity grid resilience to handle high demand during heat waves.
  • Policy & Governance Reforms
    • Expand long-term adaptation programs , including household cooling assistance .
    • Provide insurance for workers facing heat-related job losses.
    • Strengthen disaster response coordination among various government bodies.
  • Community Engagement & Awareness
    • Early warning systems should be made more accessible via mobile alerts, radio, and community networks .
    • Educational campaigns to help people identify and respond to heatstroke symptoms.

Conclusion

Heat waves are becoming a major public health crisis in India. HAPs exist but lack long-term vision for climate resilience. Strengthening cooling infrastructure, power grids, and worker protections is crucial . Without better policy implementation and funding , India's urban populations remain at high risk from extreme heat .