Heatwave Outbreak Expected in April-June! 23 States Develop Action Plans, NDMA Advises Election Commission 

Heatwave Outbreak: This time the heat wave in the country will be more severe than in the past years. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted this. A plan is being prepared to deal with this. Regarding this, Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Disaster Risk Reduction and head of the National Disaster Management Authority, in view of starting Emergency Heat Wave Action Plans in areas prone to heat wave in 23 highly sensitive states during April-June. 

Kamal Kishore said that 23 highly sensitive states have prepared a heat wave action plan. He also said that a heat wave action plan has also been prepared in 200 cities and districts most affected by the heat wave. He said that heat wave control rooms have been set up in all the states affected by extreme heat and heat wave. 

Suggestions regarding hospitals, schools and construction work 

he NDMA chief said that the states facing the heat have been asked to keep adequate stock of medicines in hospitals to treat heat-related diseases. He also said that changes in school timings will be necessary and wherever construction work is going on, the working hours of workers will also have to be changed. 

This time there is a greater risk of heat wave due to two reasons 

In a conversation with a TV channel, he said that 2023 has been the hottest year in the history of the world. This year the risk of heat wave in India is greater and there are two reasons for this: first climate change and second the situation of El Nino, which is currently active. Due to this, this time the outbreak of heat wave will be more in April and June.

Advice given to Election Commission regarding heat 

The National Disaster Management Authority has advised the Election Commission that political parties will have to decide the timing of public meetings and road shows carefully during the election campaign so that the common people do not have to stay in extreme heat. Also, it will be necessary to ensure drinking water and shady places in the election meetings. 

Take these measures during extreme heat 

He also said that common people will also have to take many initiatives at the family level to avoid the scorching heat. Advising for this, he said that eat light food, keep yourself hydrated, leave the house only if it is very necessary between 12 noon and 4 pm and always keep the head covered. He said that public participation is very important to avoid heat wave. 

Heat wave forecast for 10 to 20 days 

The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted heat waves for 10 to 20 days in many states this time as against the normal period of 4 to 8 days. The states with the highest heat waves in April include Gujarat, Central Maharashtra, North Karnataka, followed by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, North Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.