India urged to include heatwaves in disaster plans

A parliamentary panel in India is urging the government to include heatwaves in its disaster management plans. The 31-member committee, part of the Home Affairs Ministry, believes that heatwaves are a "new and emerging" disaster that deserves attention alongside other natural disasters. In a report submitted to the Rajya Sabha, the committee emphasized the need for more long-term disaster preparedness due to climate change, as disasters are becoming more frequent. They called for regular reviews of the official disasters list to keep it up-to-date. The report also suggested increasing investment in disaster-resistant infrastructure. This includes hospitals, schools, and transport systems to minimize damage and help with recovery. Amruta S Nair, a climate campaigner with Greenpeace India, welcomed the recommendation, saying it highlights the seriousness of the heat crisis. Nair argued for a dedicated budget for heat-related action plans and for setting clear, legally binding goals for accountability. She also called for a specialized body to coordinate efforts across various departments. Currently, the list of disasters eligible for funding includes cyclones, floods, and earthquakes, among others. However, states can receive some funding for local disasters, even if they aren't on the national list. Past requests from state governments have included adding heatwaves and health emergencies like COVID-19. Despite these requests, the Union Earth Sciences Minister stated that previous evaluations found no strong justification for including heatwaves in the official disaster list. Government data revealed that extreme heat caused over 10,600 deaths in India over the past decade. Last summer, India saw an unprecedented number of heatwave days. The weather forecast suggests above-normal temperatures for the upcoming summer season.