PARLIAMENT QUESTION: LOSS OF LIVES AND HEALTH CRISIS DUE TO INTENSE HEAT

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: LOSS OF LIVES AND HEALTH CRISIS DUE TO INTENSE HEAT

The latest data on deaths due to Heat/Sun Stroke in the State/UT-wise during 2018-2022, as available from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is given in Annexure-1.

Abnormal temperature events can impose severe physiological stress on the human body, as the body operates best within a fairly normal temperature range. There is a marked relationship between human mortality and thermal stress. During unusually hot episodes, deaths from different causes can rise significantly, with the elderly at greater risk than others.

Four Common heat health impacts resulting from excessive exposure to heat waves include dehydration, cramps, exhaustion and heatstroke. It is also learnt that there is a sharp rise in the number of cases of acute gastroenteritis and food poisoning due to the spoilage of food and the reduction of its shelf life due to high temperatures. There is also a rise in the number of cases of anxiety, palpitations, nervousness and behavioural change linked to extreme temperature rise. The occupational profile of most of the victims was ascertained as agricultural labourers, coastal community dwellers and people living below the poverty line (BPL) category, with mostly outdoor occupations.

The State disaster management authorities have their resources available through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to support it. If there is a request from the States for financial assistance, the Central Government considers it in accordance with the relevant guidelines for the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).

Currently, the notified list of disasters eligible for National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)/State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) assistance includes 12 disasters, namely cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloud bursts, pest attacks and frost & cold wave. The issue of inclusion of more calamities in the existing notified list of calamities was considered by the 15th Finance Commission. The Commission, in para 8.143 of its report, had observed that the list of notified disasters eligible for funding from the State Disaster Response Mitigation Fund (SDRMF) and National Disaster Response Mitigation Fund (NDRMF) covers the needs of the State to a large extent and thus did not find much merit in the request to expand its scope.

However, a State Government can use up to 10% of the annual fund allocation of the SDRF, subject to the fulfillment of certain prescribed conditions and norms, to provide immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters that they consider to be ‘disasters’ within the local context in the State and which are not included in the centrally notified list of natural disasters.

Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) implements the central sector schemes uniformly throughout the country; hence, the allocation of funds is not State-wise. Funds are not directly released to the State Governments from the MoES to implement the central sector schemes.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in collaboration with various research centers across the country, has undertaken several initiatives to enhance monitoring and early warning systems. These efforts have significantly contributed to minimizing the loss of life and property during extreme weather events, including heat waves. These include:

The weather information is provided to all the stakeholders, including the ministries of the Union Government, State Governments and local Government bodies. The Common Alert Protocol (CAP), developed by the NDMA, is also being implemented to disseminate warnings and timely alerts by the IMD.

IMD has also brought out a web-based “Climate Hazard & Vulnerability Atlas of India” prepared for the thirteen most hazardous meteorological events, which cause extensive damage and economic, human and animal losses. The same can be accessed at https://imdpune.gov.in/hazardatlas/abouthazard.html. This atlas will help State Government authorities and disaster management agencies identify the hotspots, including vulnerable urban and rural areas, and plan and take appropriate action to tackle extreme weather events. This product is helpful in building Climate change-resilient infrastructure. Further, the India Meteorological Department provides weather information to the public through various platforms:

 

 

Annexure-1

State/UT-wise deaths due to Heat/Sun Stroke during 2018-2022:

SN

State/UT

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

1

Andhra Pradesh

97

128

50

22

47

2

Arunachal Pradesh

0

0

0

0

0

3

Assam

0

3

0

0

1

4

Bihar

64

215

53

57

78

5

Chhattisgarh

1

16

3

2

11

6

Goa

0

0

0

0

0

7

Gujarat

31

27

12

8

5

8

Haryana

56

46

23

14

27

9

Himachal Pradesh

0

0

0

1

0

10

Jharkhand

42

88

23

33

47

11

Karnataka

0

4

1

0

2

12

Kerala

1

3

0

0

0

13

Madhya Pradesh

15

33

7

2

27

14

Maharashtra

128

159

56

37

90

15

Manipur

0

0

0

0

0

16

Meghalaya

4

0

0

0

0

17

Mizoram

0

0

0

0

0

18

Nagaland

0

0

0

0

0

19

Odisha

40

84

13

15

38

20

Punjab

38

90

110

91

130

21

Rajasthan

43

54

23

1

12

22

Sikkim

0

1

0

0

0

23

Tamil Nadu

0

0

0

2

2

24

Telangana

107

156

98

43

62

25

Tripura

1

1

2

0

2

26

Uttar Pradesh

176

117

50

35

130

27

Uttarakhand

0

0

0

0

0

28

West Bengal

46

49

6

11

18

 

TOTAL STATE(S)

890

1274

530

374

729

29

A & N Islands

0

0

0

0

0

30

Chandigarh

0

0

0

0

0

31

D&N Haveli and Daman&Diu @ +

0

0

0

0

0

32

Delhi UT

0

0

0

0

1

33

Jammu & Kashmir @ *

0

0

0

0

0

34

Ladakh @

 –

 –

0

0

0

35

Lakshadweep

0

0

0

0

0

36

Puducherry

0

0

0

0

0

 

TOTAL UT(S)

0

0

0

0

1

 

TOTAL (ALL INDIA)

890

1274

530

374

730

 

Source: As per data provided by the State, Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).‘+’ Combined data of erstwhile D & N HAVELI AND DAMAN & DIU UT during 2018 and 2019; ‘*’ Data of erstwhile JAMMU & KASHMIR State Including LADAKH during 2018 and 2019; ‘@’ Data of newly created Union territory.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.