SRINAGAR: While the country has witnessed a rise in heatwave-related deaths in recent years, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have recorded zero fatalities due to extreme heat from 2020 to 2024, according to a report released by the Government of India.
The report reads that Punjab and Uttar Pradesh each recorded 130 deaths, while 90 people died in Maharashtra due to extreme heat. In contrast, JK and Ladakh, along with several northeastern states, reported no heat-related deaths during this period.
The Centre has undertaken multiple initiatives to address the increasing severity of heatwaves across the country. “Under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), state governments can allocate up to 10 percent of their annual funds to provide relief to victims affected by extreme heat,” the report said.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has introduced several measures, including heatwave vulnerability mapping to help state authorities plan response strategies.
The report also mentions Heat Action Plans (HAPs) implemented in 23 states prone to extreme temperatures, along with early warning systems and weather forecasts through apps such as ‘MAUSAM’, ‘Meghdoot’, and ‘Damini’.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, global temperatures are rising, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves.
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) are part of India’s long-term strategy to mitigate these effects, it added. (KNO)
