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Learning from the Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan

Syllabus: Disaster Management, Geography 

Source: IE

Context: The article highlights recent severe heatwaves in India, with temperatures nearing 50°C in some cities, and lessons that the Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan can give to other cities.

 

What is a Heat Action Plan?

 

A Heat Action Plan is a strategy to reduce health risks during extreme heat, protecting vulnerable populations and coordinating responses.

 

Why are Heat Action Plans (HAPs) necessary?

 

Heatwaves significantly impact health, especially for vulnerable groups. Heat Action Plans minimize these risks by offering safety guidance, cooling centres, and early warnings. The National Disaster Management Authority and IMD are working with 23 states to develop HAPs, detailing roles for disaster management, labour, and police departments.

HAP COMPONENTS
HAP COMPONENTS

Example: Ahmedabad, India – Pioneering a Comprehensive Heat Action Plan

 

Ahmedabad, experienced a severe heatwave in 2010, which led to hundreds of deaths. This prompted the development of South Asia’s first comprehensive Heat Action Plan (HAP) in 2013, a pioneering step that has since been considered a global model for heatwave preparedness.

 

Innovative Steps Taken:

  1. Early Warning System and Public Awareness: The plan included an early warning system for upcoming heatwaves, disseminating alerts via media, text messages, and public announcements. Heat-Resistant Infrastructure: Efforts were made to modify urban infrastructure, such as painting roofs white to reflect sunlight and reduce indoor temperatures.
  2. Cooling Spaces: Public spaces like temples, public buildings, and malls were designated as cooling centres, providing relief during peak heat hours.
  3. Healthcare System Preparedness: The city’s healthcare facilities were equipped and trained to deal with heat-related illnesses, including setting up special wards and training medical staff.
  4. Capacity Building and Training: Training programs for health professionals, emergency responders, and community leaders were implemented to build capacity in dealing with heat waves.
  5. Water Management: Ensuring water availability, particularly in slum areas, was prioritized to prevent dehydration and heat strokes.
  6. Impact and Global Recognition: The HAP led to a significant reduction in heat-related deaths. The success of the Ahmedabad model prompted its adaptation in over 30 other cities across India.

 

Recognized globally, the Ahmedabad HAP has been highlighted by international organizations like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as an effective strategy for combating heat waves.

Analysis of Effectiveness of Heat Action Plans in India

 

  1. Early Warning Systems and Public Awareness: HAPs have implemented early warning systems, providing timely alerts about impending heatwaves.
    1. Example: In 2023, cities like Ahmedabad issued early warnings, which helped in reducing heatwave-related health emergencies.
    2. Challenge: Reaching remote and rural populations remains a challenge.
  2. Community Outreach and Education: Educational campaigns on heatwave risks and precautions have increased public awareness.
    1. Example: Awareness drives in Telangana in 2022 effectively educated communities on heat stress prevention.
    2. Challenge: The consistency and reach of these campaigns across all states are uneven.
  3. Access to Water and Cooling Facilities Providing accessible drinking water and cooling centres has been a critical component of HAPs.
    1. Example: In Odisha, public cooling places were set up during the 2022 summer, significantly aiding the local population.
    2. Challenge: Ensuring these facilities in all heat-prone areas, especially in slums and rural areas, is still a work in progress.
  4. Health System Preparedness: Upgrading healthcare facilities to manage heatstroke and dehydration cases has been a focus.
    1. Example: Rajasthan’s enhanced healthcare response during the 2022 heat wave mitigated many heat-related health issues.
    2. Challenge: Healthcare infrastructure in several regions remains under-equipped to handle the surge during heatwaves.
  5. Protecting Outdoor Workers: Guidelines for rescheduling work to cooler hours have been beneficial for outdoor workers.
    1. Example: In Punjab, labour departments advised adjusted work hours during the peak of summer 2022.
    2. Challenge: Implementation and monitoring of these guidelines are inconsistent.
  6. Vulnerable Groups Focus: Special attention to the elderly, children, and those with chronic diseases has been prioritized.
    1. Example: Mobile healthcare units in Kerala during the 2022 heatwave provided relief to vulnerable groups.
    2. Challenge: Identifying and reaching all vulnerable individuals, especially in densely populated urban areas, remains a hurdle.
  7. Urban Planning and Green Cover: Efforts to increase urban green cover and reflective surfaces have reduced urban heat islands.
    1. Example: Delhi’s initiative to expand green spaces has moderately alleviated heat stress in some areas.
    2. Challenge: Rapid urbanization and lack of space limit the extent of these interventions.
  8. Collaboration with NGOs and Civil Society: Partnerships with NGOs for ground-level implementation and aid distribution have been effective.
    1. Example: NGOs in Maharashtra played a crucial role in distributing water and oral rehydration solutions in 2022.
    2. Challenge: Coordination and resource allocation among various stakeholders can be challenging.

 

Issues with the HAPs (as per Centre for Policy Research (CPR) Study of HAPs):

  1. Not Fit for Local Contexts: Most HAPs focus on extreme dry heat, neglecting humid heat and warm nights. They adopt national thresholds unsuitable for local risks. Only 10 of 37 HAPs have locally specified temperature thresholds.
  2. Underfunded: Only 3 of 37 HAPs identified funding sources. Eight HAPs require departments to self-allocate resources, indicating funding issues.
  3. Weak Legal Foundations: HAPs lack legal authority, reducing compliance incentives.
  4. Insufficient Transparency: No national repository of HAPs; few are listed online. Unclear if HAPs are regularly updated based on evaluation data.

 

Recommendations:

  1. Reduce global emissions in the next two decades to prevent temperatures from reaching 1.5°C.
  2. HAPs should identify financing sources and integrate them with existing policies.
  3. Implement rigorous independent evaluations for constant improvement.
  4. Effective HAPs are crucial to protect India’s poorest from extreme heat impacts on health and income.

 

Conclusion

 

While Heat Action Plans in India have made significant strides in protecting vulnerable populations from heat waves, there are areas that require further improvement. By addressing the current gaps and focusing on a more integrated and adaptive approach, HAPs can significantly bolster India’s resilience to heat waves, ultimately protecting and saving lives, particularly of the most vulnerable populations.

 

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Q: Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. (10M)