As mercury increases, NDMA readies 300 heat action plans for cities

States are mandated to develop and implement heat HAPs for awareness and prevention of heat-induced diseases. However, most do not go beyond issuing standard advisories on heat prevention

As the country gears up for yet another scorching summer, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is planning to come up with 300 more heat action plans (HAPs) at the city level, a senior official said on Monday. 

 

Heatwaves kicked off by February-end, sooner than expected, this year, with temperatures soaring above 40°C in states like Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal and Odisha. Heatwaves are anticipated to continue in these regions till Tuesday.

 

During the next four-five days, Northwest India is also likely to see a gradual rise of about 3-5°C in maximum temperatures, the India Meteorological Department (IMD)