Madhya Pradesh Classifies Heatwaves as Disasters

• 03 Oct 2024

Why in News?

The Madhya Pradesh government has classified heatwaves as natural disasters, enabling compensation for victims.

Key Points

• Financial Assistance:
  • Individuals who suffer fatalities due to heatwaves will receive compensation similar to that provided for other natural calamities like floods and earthquakes.
• Legal Framework:
  • Heatwaves have been officially notified as a local disaster under the Madhya Pradesh Disaster Management Act of 2005, following directives from the central Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • This regulation will take effect in summer 2025.
• Casualties and Health Impact:
  • Recent heatwaves in northern India resulted in 114 fatalities and over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases reported from March 1 to June 19, 2024.
  • The highest number of heatstroke deaths were recorded in Uttar Pradesh (37), Bihar (17), Rajasthan (16), and Odisha (13).
• Nature of Heatwaves:
  • Heatwaves are characterized by excessively high temperatures and high humidity, typically occurring from April to June.
  • They pose serious health risks, including heatstroke and dehydration, and can severely impact agriculture, water supply, and public health.

Heat Waves

• About:
  • Heatwaves are prolonged periods of excessively hot weather that can cause adverse impacts on human health, the environment, and the economy.
    • India, being a tropical country, is particularly vulnerable to heatwaves, which have become more frequent and intense in recent years.
• Criteria for Declaring Heat Wave in India:
  • Plains and Hilly Regions:
    • Heat wave is considered if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions.
    • Based on Departure from Normal Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 4.50°C to 6.40°C.
      • Severe Heat Wave: Departure from normal is >6.40°C.
    • Based on Actual Maximum Temperature Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥45°C.
      • Severe Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥47°C.
    • If the above criteria are met in at least 2 stations in a Meteorological subdivision for at least two consecutive days, it is declared so on the second day.
  • Coastal Areas:
    • When maximum temperature departure is 4.50°C or more from normal, a heat wave may be described provided the actual maximum temperature is 37°C or more.