'New normal' of hot summers, be cool

The Indian Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast of a warmer-than-usual summer is yet another reminder that climate change and its impacts are taking place in real time. The early warning gives governments, authorities and people a chance to plan for extreme heat. But much more is needed to help people adapt to, and cope with, higher summer temperatures, and, in some cases, extreme humidity as well. The government must plan mechanisms that will not aggravate heat impact and help adapt to the 'new normal' of 'unnaturally' hot summers.

With last summer's experience, GoI has acted quickly on the IMD's forecast. The PM's push to ensure heat preparedness is welcome. The short-term effort must include ensuring functioning electricity supply systems, making sure coal transport to power plants is in order and providing access to water supply, including to safe potable water. Local administrations must ensure that health centres and hospitals are equipped to handle heat stress-related ailments.

But two consecutive summers of extreme heat makes it clear that short-term measures are not enough. A study by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) found that temperatures have been steadily rising between 1990 and 2019. Summer temperatures have increased by 0.5-0.9° C. It is time to move from the ad-hoc response to extreme events to one that plans an economy-wide systemic approach to responding to high heat. Some cities have heat action plans, outlining measures to reduce the impact of high heat. Beyond these, the focus must be on people being able to function in extreme high temperatures by planning increased vegetation, and improved building construction requiring more efficient cooling, and district cooling options.