National Disaster Management Authority asks states to study the Gujarat model to beat heat

NEW DELHI: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the public, in his Mann Ki Baat address on Sunday, to take precautions against the heat wave that killed nearly 2,300 people in May, the PM led National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is impressing upon states to study the 'Gujarat model' to deal with the crisis.

The NDMA has circulated the '2015 Heat Action Plan of Ahmedabad' to states, which is an updated version of the first comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events in India, launched in Ahmedabad in 2013. The city saw 1,344 deaths in May 2010 when temperatures there had touched 46.8 degrees. The NDMA has also come out with a 17-point 'heat wave' guideline for the general public.



"These guidelines are for the layman. The phenomenon of heat wave, meanwhile, also requires a comprehensive multi-sectoral response from various departments. So, we have encouraged states to study the Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan 2015 which is being pro-actively considered by NDMA," Kamal Kishore, member NDMA, told ET.

He said the health ministry will soon come out with guidelines on dealing with heat wave patients while the labour department has advised that labourers be allowed rest between 12 pm and 3 pm.

The Ahmedabad plan envisages immediate and long-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing and response coordination between various departments to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations. It involves use of SMS, email, radio and mobile apps to alert residents, mapping of highrisk areas of the city, increasing communication on prevention methods, access to potable drinking water and cooling spaces, among others.