PREFACE
It is expected that extreme heat waves will become more common worldwide because of rising average global temperature. Since the beginning of the 21st century, this has increased by nearly a degree Centigrade. This weather pattern, coupled with the El-Nino effect, is increasing the temperatures in Asia. Further, high humidity compounds the effects of the temperatures being felt by human beings. Extreme heat can lead to dangerous, even deadly, consequences, including heat stress and heatstroke.
India is also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Experts have been warning that the rising temperatures will lead to more floods, heat-waves, storms, rising sea levels and unpredictable farm yields. There is evidence that climate change is causing increase in extreme weather events as well as severity and frequency of natural disasters. Deforestation is also adding to the environmental instability and contributing to global warming and climate change.
There has been an increasing trend of heat-wave in India over the past several years whereby several cities in India have been severely affected. Heat wave killed about 3000 people in 1998 and more than 2000 in 2002. Heat wave caused over 2000 deaths in 1998 in Odisha and more than 1200 deaths in 2002 in southern India. More than 2400 people died in the heat wave of 2015. Heat wave also caused death of cattle and wildlife besides affecting animals in various zoos in India.
The increased occurrences and severity of heat-wave is a wake-up call for all agencies to take necessary action for prevention, preparedness and community outreach to save the lives of the general public, livestock and wild life.
Heat Wave Guidelines aims to facilitate the stakeholders in preparing a Heat Wave Management Plan by providing insight into the heat related illness and the necessary mitigative and response actions to be undertaken. It will also help in mobilization and coordination of various departments, individuals and communities to help and protect their neighbours, friends, relatives, and themselves against avoidable health problems during spells of very hot weather.