India pulls up its sleeves to tackle rising heat, but is it enough?

It’s April and heatwaves are already sweeping parts of India. What steps are the central and state governments taking to protect citizens from the intense heat, and are they enough?

Mansi Bhaktwani

In this month’s bulletin, The Migration Story tracks cities and states across India gearing up with action plans, early alerts and stocking up of essential items like medicines and hydration solutions, and sensitising medical staff to combat heat. 

The central government has asked all states to review their heat preparedness of health facilities and management of heatstroke cases and heat-related illnesses, according to a report in The Indian Express.

With extreme heat conditions being seen in various parts of the country, central and state governments are intensifying their preparedness with area-based heat action plans to manage rising risks and protect public health. 

According to The Indian Express report, dated March 27, 2025, Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has stressed the heightened risk of rising heat. The World Bank, too, has warned that around 4.5% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could be at risk due to lost labour hours owing to extreme heat and humidity. 

The Centre has asked states to review the heat preparedness of health facilities, and the management of heatstroke cases and heat-related illnesses.

The report states that Srivastava asked the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to share its public health guidelines with all districts. The NCDC shares all the daily heat alerts generated by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) with the states.

According to a press release issued by the central government on April 2, 2025, rising temperatures are expected to affect several parts of the country, including Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Heat Action Plans are now in place across 23 heat-prone states, with regular reviews held before and during summer. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, being highly vulnerable, have developed specific plans to mitigate heat-related risks, said Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha on April 2.

While heat action plans are important, governments must ensure they are implemented. "We need more cooling initiatives and support for Indian start-ups who are working to create innovative solutions," stated Saurabh Punamiya, who co-authored the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP) and was a former advisor to the government of Maharashtra’s Environment and Climate Change Ministry. 

Punamiya suggested setting up of hydration points and sheltered resting areas (not with tin roofs), engaging with workers, unions, and think tanks to discuss working hours and better management of construction activities will help address this issue. 

Here’s a look at region-specific heat mitigation measures. 

Delhi:

With the temperature breaching the 40 degree Celsius mark, the Delhi government on April 15 issued an advisory for vulnerable sections, such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and workers. The advisory comes amidst a ‘yellow alert’ by the IMD, according to an article in The Indian Express on April 8, 2025. 

The government in its advisory has asked that workers on construction sites, agricultural fields and other outdoor jobs be provided with water, arrangements be made for rehydration points, and adequate resting space be created at job sites. The advisory also calls for a ‘buddy system’, where workers care for each other. The government also recommended a change in working hours to early mornings or late evenings and asked employers to consider reducing the pace of physical work or increasing the number of workers to reduce stress.

Other vulnerable groups are advised to avoid going out from 12 pm to 3 pm, and wear cool colours and loose-fitted clothes. The government has further stressed on the importance of staying hydrated and increase consumption of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

To raise awareness, the advisory suggests installing digital boards with real-time temperature updates and health tips. It also stresses the need for community and institutional preparedness through training, emergency planning in health centres, and inter-departmental coordination to reduce health risks during prolonged extreme heat.

Kerala:

The Kerala Disaster Management Authority (KDSMA) has framed guidelines to help prepare civic bodies for developing heat action plans, as the state feels extreme weather as summer is yet to arrive, as per a report in The Indian Express, dated February 14, 2025.

In 2020, the KDSMA formulated a Heat Action Plan (HAP) to prepare for extreme heat and protect the vulnerable, which has now been revised with comprehensive guidelines to frame heat-resilience plans to be implemented by the local bodies.

Various long-term and short-term measures have been listed, including, risk-informed planning, inclusion of heat-related projects in development plans of local bodies, planting trees, green roofing, water usage policy to combat drought-like situations in long-term measures, while short-term steps include forming temporary shades and shelters in public places, cooling centres at major markets and bus stops, and more.

For gig workers, the KDSMA has directed companies, courier agencies, and food delivery platforms to comply with relaxing their workload in peak hours from 11 am to 3 pm, heat-appropriate uniforms, essential hydration material and adequate rest breaks, as per The Indian Express report, dated March 29, 2025.

Maharashtra:

The Maharashtra government is framing Heat Resilience plans for Mumbai, Thane and Nagpur to combat rising temperatures by identifying readiness, and each city’s vulnerabilities and heat-stress-prone areas, MumbaiLive reported on March 19, 2025. 

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a change in school timings to 7:00 am to 11:15 am for primary students and 7:00 am to 7:45 am for secondary students. The timings apply to all schools, regardless of who they are managed by, a OneIndia report on March 29 stated.

The report cited data from Maharashtra’s health department of 23 heat-stroke cases in March, from across Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Buldhana, Latur, Parbhani, among other cities. 

“Mumbai is vulnerable to the Urban Heat Effect, making the creation of green cooling spaces essential. Learning from countries like South Korea and Japan can provide valuable solutions,” said Punamiya, co-author of the MCAP. 

The administration in Pune, along with state authorities, has increased the surveillance to prevent the adverse impact of extreme heat, The Indian Express reported on March 27. 

Thane, meanwhile, faces heat stress due to urbanization, while Nagpur contends with extreme weather and water shortages, and Mumbai faces the urban heat island effect. 

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and UNDP’s survey has identified 10 heatwave-prone areas in Nagpur, as per The Live Nagpur reported on April 4. NMC Commissioner Dr. Abhijeet Chaudhari urged officials to take immediate action, and long-term and short-term measures against heatstroke, suggesting heat-reflective shields, avoiding tin/asbestos roofs, and setting up water stations on the hotspots.

Gujarat:

A multi-stakeholder workshop was conducted by the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GDSMA) in Gandhinagar, identifying ten cities and towns most vulnerable to extreme heat events, in the first week of April, according to a report in The Times Of India on  April 2.  The identified cities and towns included Idar, Palanpur, Veraval, Radhanpur, Navsari, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Bhuj, Surat and Valsad, that will have separate Heat Action Plans (HAPs). The GDSMA, CEEW, IMD and local bodies have worked together to identify the cities. 

There are red alerts in the state due to rising temperatures, stressing the need for a robust HAP. City authorities, with IMD’s data are analysing ward-level heat risks, stated GDSMA.

Uttarakhand:

Hill states like Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir are preparing for heatwaves as officials predict a rise in temperature than last year. This is the first time Uttarakhand will be formulating a concrete heatwave plan in recent years due to scorching heat. Vinod Kumar Suman, secretary of Uttarakhand's disaster management department, stated that this summer is expected to be particularly harsh. An advisory will be issued to prepare for heatwave conditions once they receive the meeting minutes. The department is taking the forecast seriously and is formulating an action plan due to last year's high temperatures. NDMA conducted a meeting with all states, including the Himalayan and were asked to develop action plans and implement preventive measures. 

Srinagar 2024:

The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Srinagar has launched a “Heat Wave Action” plan for 2024-2025 to protect vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and economically disadvantaged individuals from extreme summer heat. Dr. Bilal Mohi-Din Bhat's plan includes assigning Nodal Officers for coordination and regular meetings with departments and NGOs. High-risk areas will be identified, and training sessions for health workers, school children, and the community will focus on prevention and treatment measures.

Telangana:

State Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha assessed Telangana’s plan and heat preparedness across government hospitals in the state, and, in a video conference, asked senior Health Department officials to make safe and adequate drinking water available at all blocks on every floor. He also asked for an inspection of fire safety measures, with any damage promptly fixed, according to a Siasat report dated April 12.

Narsimha further mentioned fixing of fans, coolers and air conditioners and ensuring that they are fully functional especially in ICUs and critical care centres. 

The minister emphasized launching public awareness campaigns in hospitals, bus stands, and on social media, targeting vulnerable groups - those working outdoors - like MGNREGA workers, farmers, daily wage labourers, auto drivers, and delivery agents. Officials were instructed to ensure functional generators due to potential power cuts due to unseasonal rains. Families were advised to protect children, the elderly, and pregnant women, carry water, limit sun exposure, and seek medical help for heatstroke symptoms.

Jharkhand:

The state government in Jharkhand has initiated a daily Heat Related Illness (HRI) surveillance that aligns with the National Programme on Climate Change & Human Health (NPCCHH), under the National Health Mission. All health institutions must provide records of cases on a real-time basis from March 1 onwards for prompt response and medical support, reports The Times of India in a March 5 article.

The report states the health department is urging hospitals to form Heat Action Plans, keep stock of essential items like ORS and intravenous fluids, and effectively prepare  medical staff to combat rising heat-related concerns.

Odisha:

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has directed district collectors and officials to take measures to alleviate the heatwave impact, implement government SOPs and aim for ‘zero casualty, according to a report in The Indian Express on March 19, 2025.

Furthermore, rescheduled the timing of schools and anganwadis, restricting on outdoor work between 11 am to 3 pm. 

He emphasised on ensuring  repair and installation of 17,000 tubewells within a week, setting up of tents and water huts, and running mass awareness campaigns across various mediums such as TV, radio, and social media. Officials were also asked to prevent unscheduled power cuts and keep the fire services wing on high alert.

Moreover, the Odisha's government Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department issued guidelines regulating Public Distribution Systems (PDS) operations and food grain distribution timings were shifted to early morning and evening slots. And also directed to set up temporary shelters, drinking water facilities, provide ORS at Fair Price Shops and Rice Receiving Centres. Raising awareness amongst the beneficiaries and workers using pamphlets and posters to educate about heatwave safety, reported Pragativadi on March 27, 2025.

Compiled by Mansi Bhaktwani