A standing committee of Parliament has suggested that the Central government should include new and emerging disasters like heatwaves in its disaster management plans. The Standing Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs, in a report tabled in the Rajya Sabha last week, also recommended setting up a system for regular review and updating of the official list of disasters.
The committee recommended that the ministry may include new and emerging disasters like heatwaves etc in its disaster management plans, the report said. It also recommends setting up a formal mechanism for periodic review and updating of the list of notified disasters. This will ensure that the Act remains relevant and responsive to emerging disaster risks through consultation with experts, stakeholders and affected communities.
Recommends more investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure
The 31-member committee, headed by BJP Rajya Sabha member Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal, also urged the ministry to plan for long-term preparedness keeping in mind climate change and disasters. The committee has recommended more investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and transport systems, to minimise losses and accelerate recovery.
Amrita S Nair, climate campaigner at environmental organization Greenpeace India, said the parliamentary committee's recommendation to include heatwaves in the list of notified disasters is a welcome and long-overdue move. It highlights the increasing severity of heat waves. Union Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh recently told the Lok Sabha that the 15th Finance Commission had considered the states' request to expand the list of notified disasters to include heatwaves but did not find it significant.
More than 10 thousand deaths due to extreme heat in 10 years
According to government data, 10,635 people died in India due to extreme heat and heatwaves in the 10 years from 2013.
Last year, India experienced exceptionally severe heatwaves. 36 heatwave days were recorded.
This number of heatwave days was the highest in 14 years.
Official data showed that India recorded 41,789 suspected heatwave cases and 143 heatwave-related deaths during the hottest and longest heatwave period. The weather department has also forecast above normal maximum and minimum temperatures in most parts of the country this summer.
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