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.
- Heatwaves are prolonged periods of excessively hot weather that can cause adverse impacts on human health, the environment, and the economy.
- 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.
- Plains and Hilly Regions: