ABOUT THIS ISSUE

n the past decade, many I countries of Asia have been repeatedly struck by extreme heat and heat waves. Many scientists have attributed this trend of rising incidents to . HEAT WAVE IMPACT Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and severe because as the world Heat Waves and Street continues to warm due to human emissions of Vendors: What Cities Can Do greenhouse gases from the Vendors: What Cities Can Do burning of fossil fuels. hen a heat wave hits, our and cooling the surrounding air. In This issue of Winstinct is to stay indoors, under addition to regulating temperatures, Southasiadisasters.net is titled the fan or in the air-conditioning. trees also filter air pollution and absorb "Rising Risk of Heat Waves in However, millions of India's working atmospheric carbon dioxide. Asia". It highlights not only poor do not have that choice. Street the incidences and impacts of vendors, waste pickers, cart-pullers, 2. Protecting Open Spaces heat waves in Asia but also and rickshaw drivers are among the Temperatures are higher in urban all the scientific and many kinds of self-employed workers areas, as compared to rural areas, governance innovations that earn their living on the street. For because of what is known as the heat designed to mitigate their many, the day they do not work is the island effect. As buildings and roads damage. While instances of day they do not eat. Their work replace vegetation and open land, the heat waves are on the rise continues in blistering heat, under the sun beats down on rooftops, roads and scorching summer sun. across the world, Asia in pavements. Impermeable surfaces like particular seems to be reeling steel, concrete and asphalt trap and under an intense heat wave. Heat waves put both their lives and release heat-all contributing to the heat wave. Vegetative cover and According to the meteorologist their livelihoods at risk. Exhaustion and permeable surfaces such as soil can Etienne Kapikian, at least dehydration affect both the body and mitigate the heat island effect. Green seven Asian countries have the mind, causing headaches, dizziness, or nausea as well as confusion, roofs, city parks, waterbodies, and already set monthly high irritability or delirium. Produce backyard gardens provide space that temperature records at the end vendors are particularly vulnerable to shield against the sun's rays. of March 2018. the heat. Fruit and vegetables are perishable so every day is an anxiety- 3. Supporting Vernacular Architecture All this scientific and ridden race against the clock. To make Street-based workers employ diverse empirical evidence points to matters worse, when city temperatures strategies to withstand the sweltering the inconvenient truth that rise, customers are sparse and their heat. Many chaiwalas and vendors the incidence and intensity of earnings, like their produce, is at risk. construct makeshift awnings by heat waves will increase across In addressing the public health and attaching old sarees or wet jute cloth Asian countries in the coming poverty crises brought on by heat to lampposts and trees. For produce years. Therefore, there is a waves, cities must consider the following: vendors, shade not only protects need to address this rising risk against heat stroke and exhaustion but or mitigate its adverse 1. Investing in Urban Trees also extends the life of their fruits and impacts. This issue of The value of trees extends far beyond vegetables, thereby protecting their Southasiadisasters.net takes aesthetics; trees are vital to the public take-home earnings. Vernacular stock of the best practices in health of a city. During the summer, architecture of this kind can protect governance systems (heat trees cool both the ground and the air. both health and business, ultimately wave action plans), early Trees with wide canopies provide a saving lives. Cities have an opportunity warning and health large shaded area where the sun's rays to support its citizens in their efforts to preparedness among others to cannot hit the ground directly, thereby make the built environment livable to mitigate the adverse impacts reducing the amount of heat the those who use it. of heat waves in Asia. ground absorbs. Trees also transpire – Maya Potter, – Kshitij Gupta water as they grow, releasing vapor Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellow

2 southasiadisasters.net October 2018 CLIMATE SMART DEVELOPMENT Top Three Achievements of India to become "Weather Ready and Climate Smart"

eather and climate forecasts and warnings and crop specific agro- W information is vital to public improved coordination with disaster meteorological advisories in well-being and safety, food security, management authorities. vernacular languages. The third water resources and health. During party assessment by the the past many decades, high impact The Major Three Achievements Made National Council of Applied weather events have taken many by the Ministry on Weather and Economic Research (NCAER) on lives and inflicted huge damages Climate Services are given below: the agromet services provided causing enormous economic 1. Agrometeorological Services by the ministry concluded that hardship. Global warming and Farmers make use of weather the annual economic benefit for climate change cause an increase in forecasts and warnings for the farmers cultivating 4 the frequency and intensity of such planning the operations like principal crops (Wheat, Rice, extreme events. Frequency of heavy sowing, irrigation, application Sugarcane and Cotton) was Rs rainfall events and severe heat waves of fertilizer and pesticide, 42,000 Crore in 2015. IMD is has increased over India during the harvest and protection of crops now planning to provide these last 3 decades. Early warning from weather disasters. The services extended to block level systems and disaster risk reduction Ministry in collaboration with through 660 district Agromet measures are therefore important for the Indian Council of field units being set up at ICAR boosting the community resilience. Agricultural Research (ICAR) Krishi Vigyan Kendras by 2019. Climate services on the other hand provides the Agromet Advisory These improved services with can inform decisions on both climate Services (AAS) for the benefit of additional climate and soil change mitigation and adaptation. farmers. This includes 5-day information for rain-fed weather forecasts issued on agriculture and irrigated The Ministry of Earth Sciences has every Tuesday and Friday. The agriculture of the country are the mandate to provide accurate and services carried out at 130 agro- expected to benefit farmers timely services for all events from met zones (cluster of 4-6 substantially and contribute to now-casting (next few hours) to sub- districts) now have been the Government initiative on seasonal and seasonal weather and successfully extended to the doubling the income of farmers. longer-term climate predictions to district level and operated 2. Early Warning Systems for all users. Ministry over the past 10 across 608 districts of the High Impact Weather Events years has been building up required country. Currently, about 22.4 The quality of weather services infrastructure and capability for million farmers are receiving by the Ministry has shown improving the services. This include a) strengthening of observational network (over land, sea and air); b) installing the state-of-the-art weather and climate prediction systems based on coupled models; c) acquiring faster computing resources; and d) investing in human resources development. Ministry has the computing capacity of about 8.0 petaflop, which is the best in the country and fourth best among the weather prediction centers in the world. The dramatic reduction in the lives lost due to high impact weather events in the last few years has been largely attributed to the significant increase in accuracy of weather http://citiscope.org/story/2017/lessons-and-challenges-indian-cities-step-planning-heat-waves

October 2018 southasiadisasters.net 3 appreciable improvements during 2007-13 for 24, 48 and 72 Nina and climate prediction during the past 4 years. There hrs lead period respectively The products. have been noticeable period during 2014-17 registered improvements achieved in skills a decrease in track forecast error Ministry has the mandate of doing of forecasts for high impact by 29, 30, and 23% as compared research on basics of climate change. weather events like heavy to 2007-13 for 24, 48 and 72 hours A State-of-the-art Earth System rainfall and tropical cyclones. lead period respectively. Model (ESM) has been developed by This is evident with reference to 3. Climate Services the scientists at the Centre for recent tropical cyclones, Phailin, Climate services are very useful Climate Change Research (CCCR), Hudhud and Vardah and heavy for various sectors like Indian Institute of Tropical rainfall events in Uttarakhand, agriculture, water resources, Meteorology (IITM) Pune. This Jammu and Kashmir and disaster management, health etc. model will be further used to Chennai. For the recent cyclone, Ministry has been providing develop future regional climate Vardah, which had caused severe various climate service products change scenarios at 25 km resolution damages in the city of Chennai to various user agencies. The and conduct climate impact and neighborhood, accurate National Climate Centre at assessment studies. The ESM will be predictions were provided Pune has been now recognized the first climate model from India almost 3 days in advance, as the Regional Climate Centre to contribute to the forthcoming helping to save thousands of by the World Meteorological sixth IPCC climate change lives. The loss of lives during Organisation (WMO) for assessment process. The center will the last 4 years due to tropical providing regional climate come out with a detailed climate cyclones has reduced to less services to south Asian change assessment report for India than hundred as compared to the countries. The center is now by early 2019. thousands during the previous issuing monthly climate – Dr. Madhavan Nair Rajeevan, decade. The track forecast error bulletins providing details of Secretary to the Government of India, during 2014-17 has been 89, 142, climate anomalies over the Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi, 207 km against 125, 202, 268 km region, status of El Nino and La India

HEAT WAVES AND HEALTH Public Health Impact of Heat Waves in Indian Cities lobally, the effect and burden were experienced in Orissa in 1998 night as compared to the adjoining Gdue to climate change is which caused 2048 deaths and in areas or rural areas due to 'Urban distributed unequally and often Ahmedabad and Andhra Pradesh in Heat Island' effect; an effect caused unpredictably. Urban cities, due to 2015 which killed 1,334 and 2500 by trapping of heat by the materials their economic and social people respectively.4 Similar bolts of such as buildings, pavements during advancement, face a high risk due heat waves were also witnessed in the day time and releasing the same to the variability and Chicago in 1996 in in 2003.5,6 at the night time.10,11 The intensity unpredictability of changing climate. of the effect is directly proportional Anthropogenic activities have Increased rate of hospitalization is to city size, population, unplanned increased the global average seen due heat related morbidity and urbanization, vehicular movement temperature by more than half since mortality. Direct effects includes like and industrial growth and indirectly 1950's1 and it is predicted that global dehydration, exhaustion, fainting, proportional to the green cover and mean temperature will rise by 5.5oC heat cramps, heat stroke and indirect open land mass. A study by by the end of this century.2 The city effects like cardio-respiratory illness. McMicheal et al. in 2008 in Delhi will witness increased frequency and Vulnerability to heat increases with along with other international cities, intensity of heat wave- a period of age, disability and existing illness, said that for every 1oC rise in sustained high temperature. type of occupation like daily wage temperature above 29oC, there is According to IMD, a heat wave labor, transportation, etc., socio 3.94% increase in mortality.12 condition is announced when economic status.7,8,9 maximum temperature remains to The impact of heat related health be at 45oC.3 Episodes of extreme During dry spells, urban areas outcomes in cities are inter sectoral. temperature, such as heat waves generally experience 10oC rise in Incidences of vector borne diseases 4 southasiadisasters.net October 2018 will rise due to congestion and high temperature promoting breeding and maturation of pathogen.13 Water scarcity and food insecurity will be common with increasing temperature which will further push up the levels of under nutrition and other micronutrient related deficiencies. Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, etc. released due to high demand of mobility and industrialization acts, heat trapping agent; further causing air pollution and increasing the city temperature. The public health system is already resource strapped to deal with Photo: AIDMI. existing health issues, the adversities Street food vendors surviving through the heat wave. caused by extreme temperature further adds the burden. Mar 15]. Available from: http:// Journal of the royal institute of www.osdma.org/ public health. 2006; 123; 585-596. By 2050, urbanization is expected to ViewDetails.aspx?vchglinkid=GL 11. Kovats S, Akhtar R. Climate, increase the urban dwellers by 6 002&vchplinkid=PL008 climate change and human health 4. Majra J, Gur A. Climate Change in Asian cities. International million. Establishing effective early and Health: Why should India be Institute for Environment and warning signals with trans-regional concerned. Indian J Occup Development(IIED).2008; co-operation, setting up effective Environ Med.2009;13(1):11-16. 20(1):165-175. health surveillance systems, 5. Semenza J, Rubin C, Falter K, 12. McMichael AJ, Wilkinson P, Kovats restoring natural resources can Selanikio J, Flanders W, Howe H RS, Pattenden S, Hajat S, mitigate impending extreme events et al. Heat related death during Armstrong B, et al. 2008. and also factor in an adaptation the July 1995 heat wave in International study of temperature, consciousness.14,15 Chicago. N Engl J Med heat and urban mortality: the 1996;335:84-90. "ISOTHURM" project. Int J 6. D'lppoliti D, Michelozzi P, Marine Epidemiol 37:1121-1131. In conclusion, India will have to C, de'Donato F, Menne B, 13. Hunter P. Climate Change and evolve a multi-dimensional domain Katsouyanni K etal.The impact of waterborne and vector-borne expert co-ordination to ensure that heat waves on mortality in 9 disease. Journal of Applied global policy frameworks trickle European cities: results from the Microbiology.2003; 94, 37S-46S. down to the last mile and ensure life EuroHEAT project. Environmental (vector) and livelihoods are protected from Health. 2010; 9:37. 14. Yamamtoto Y. Measures to Mitigate heat waves. 7. Akhtar R. Climate change and Urban Heat Islands. Science and health and heat wave mortality in technology trend. 2006; 18; 65-83. References: India. Global Environmental (UHIE) 1. Core Writing Team, R.K. Pachauri Research. 2007; 11: 51-57. 15. Nuruzzaman M. Urban Heat Island: and L.A. Meyer. Climate Change 8. Azhar G, Malvankar D, Sharma A, Causes, Effects and Mitigation 2014: Synthesis Report. [Internet]. Rajiva A, Dutta P, Jaiswal A et al. Measures -A Review. International Intergovernmental Panel on Heat- related mortality in India: Journal of Environmental monitoring Climate Change;[cited 2018 Mar Excess all- cause mortality and analysis. 2015; 3(2);67-73. 16]. Available from https:// associated with the 2010 International Journal of www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment- Ahmedabad Heat Wave.Plos Environmental Monitoring and report/ar5/syr one.2014; 9(3):1-9. Analysis. Vol. 3, No. 2, 2015, pp. SYR_AR5_FINAL_full_wcover.pdf 9. Bush K, Luber G, Kotha R, Dhaliwal 67-73 International Journal of 2. Mazidiyasni O, Aghakouchak A, R, Kapil V, Pasucal M et al. Impacts Environmental Monitoring and Davis S, Madadgar S, Mehran A, of climate change on public health Analysis. Vol. 3, No. 2, 2015, pp. Ragno E et al. Increasing probability in India: Future Research 67-7 of mortality during Indian heat Directions. Environmental Health – Vaishali Paste, Public Health waves. Sci. Adv.2007; 3: 1-5. Perspectives. 2011; 199(6):765-770. Specialist, and Edmond Fernandes, 3. Odisha State Disaster Management 10. Haines A, Kovats R, Lendrum D, Authority: Heat Wave CEO, Center For Health and Corvalan C. Climate change and Development (CHD), Karnataka, India [Internet].Odisha State Disaster human health: Impacts, Management Authority; [cited 2018 vulnerability and public health. October 2018 southasiadisasters.net 5 HEAT WAVES AND URBAN RESILIENCE Heat Wave Action Planning in Cities: A View from Gujarat Photo: AIDMI. Street vendor selling seasonal summer vegetables.

ntroduction actual maximum temperature headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle IA Heat Wave is a period of remains 45oC or more irrespective cramps and sweating are observed abnormally high temperatures, of normal maximum temperature. in even healthy persons. Heat Stoke more than the normal maximum Higher daily peak temperatures and is considered when body temperature that occurs during the longer, more intense heat waves are temperatures reaches to 40oC i.e. summer season in the North- becoming increasingly frequent 104oF or more along with delirium, Western parts of India. Heat Waves globally due to climate change. India seizures or coma. This is a typically occur between March and too is feeling the impact of climate potentially fatal condition. June, and in some rare cases even change in terms of increased instances extend till July. The extreme of heat waves which are getting Heat waves could have other dire temperatures and resultant intense in nature with each passing effects including disastrous crop atmospheric conditions adversely year, and have a devastating impact failures, deaths from , affect people living in these regions on human health thereby increasing widespread power outages due to as they cause physiological stress, the number of heat wave casualties. increased use of , sometimes resulting in death. wildfires (often when a heat wave is Impacts combined with a drought), other Reasons The health impacts of Heat Waves fires as power transformers explode A heat wave is declared when the typically involve dehydration, heat under the heat and humidity, temperature rises by 5-6oC than cramps, heat exhaustion and/or heat damage to infrastructure (roads, average maximum temperature, or stroke. Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, highways and water lines), etc.

6 southasiadisasters.net October 2018 Gujarat – Ahmedabad situation The same type of situation is found organizations, such as Urban Health One of the major reasons for "Heat in other major Indian cities like Centres (UHCs) and link workers, Island" effect in urban areas in India Bhopal, Hyderabad, Bangalore, who frequently work with at-risk is the rapid and unplanned Nagpur, Bhubaneshwar, Bengaluru, populations and can provide early development of built-up space in etc. diagnosis of heat-related illnesses major cities. For example, in and preliminary treatment. Ahmedabad city in last 20 years Responses between 1996-2016, built-up areas Government at different levels is Community Engagement has increased by 132%, whereas tree constantly promoting new and In fighting with such extreme heat cover has reduced from 24% to 7%, innovative ways to control the situation the role of individuals, which is the main reason of environmental conditions within the community groups, and the media increasing heat impacts in high city, but population increase, is central. Individuals can take temperature days of summer migration from rural to urban and specific preventative steps to protect months. Also there is sharp decrease rapid urbanisation are themselves, their families, and their in water bodies in and around city. anthropogenic reasons of change in communities from harmful heat The same situation is prevailing in environmental conditions of the city. waves including learning about early other major cities of Gujarat and Over and above these reasons the signs of heat exhaustion, limiting India. Another important thing is impact of global warming is heavy work during extreme heat, land use change for increasing heat pressing further ecological stress drinking water, staying out of the impacts in cities. In Ahmedabad 7% over the city areas. sun; wearing light clothing, checking of land was built up in 1990 which on neighbours, and informing their has increased to 16.34% in 2010 and The city administration of fellow community members about by 2024 it is expected to be 38% of Ahmedabad (AMC - Ahmedabad how to keep cool and protect land under building. Along with Municipal Corporation) has themselves from heat. The media is built up areas, size and intensity of developed the heat action plan, vital in spreading the word about road network is increasing day by which has given very encouraging the harm heat poses to health, and day. BRTS has taken space in major results in extreme heat scenarios. protecting people against dangerous roads of the city, which has impacted Other cities have followed heat waves. The media plays an on road sides, sideways or footpath, Ahmedabad model in controlling essential awareness-building role by which have been asphalted to similar situations in city level heat sharing news about health threats, increase the size of roads and to wave management. Indian Institute and increased public protection by accommodate more vehicles. Trees of Public Health - Gandhinagar running ads and providing local nearby the main roads are cut or (IIPHG) and NRDC have been resources information. chopped to expand the infrastructure instrumental in development and work and improve the traffic implementation of heat action plan Conclusion situations. Footpaths have been in Ahmedabad. AMC has also At the same time the civic authority paved along the road sided, in and developed mobile based application and the health department are also around the residential and for dissemination of early warning participating actively to reduce the commercial complexes, parking, etc. of air quality as well as heat wave immediate casualties, which has which has reduced the space for information. AMC is also providing reduced the human loss during heat green cover and chance for water free saplings of trees to citizen on waves. Ahmedabad heat action plan percolation in monsoon season. All their door step with help of social is considered to be a very successful these cumulative impacts are media and mobile application. adaptation initiative in heat related important reasons behind the However, despite several disasters not only in India but across heating up of urban areas more as government initiatives public the world. However, to mitigate compared to other parts of the State. participation and capacity building such situation citizens and The phenomenal growth of of the common citizens can still be authorities will have to focus on population from 2 million to 7 vastly improved. greening the city through vertical million is impacting the availability gardens, green belts, terrace gardens of per capita natural resources of The Ahmedabad Heat Action plan and such options to reduce the Ahmedabad city as well. As per the serves to focus attention on those further concretization of our cities. State Government's forest data, in individuals who are most at risk - Shwetal Shah, Technical Advisor – 2011 trees density has reduced to 11 during heat waves, including slum Climate Change Department, tree / 100 persons, and in present communities, outdoor workers, Government of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, 2018 scenario if study is conducted elderly and children. The Plan also Gujarat, India again it would have reduced further. focuses on individuals and

October 2018 southasiadisasters.net 7 HEAT WAVE ACTION PLANS Research Issues on Heat Waves in India

fter the mid-1990s, heat waves Odisha has been able to fully control policy options for poor people who Ahave been a big killer in India the heat wave mortalities in the have little resources with them to with the most recent report from state? Though mortalities have come adapt to such extremes on their own. CSE declaring it as the second down in spite of increasing heat At the moment, Heat Action Plans biggest killer among all natural wave days, large number of deaths are formulated on the line of such calamities. During heat waves, the are still occurring. activities in developed countries and deadly combination of heat and they need to be more orientated to humidity causes hyperthermia and Studies of informal sector poor urban the realities of a poor economy. accordingly, some of the coastal or workers show such people are taking near coastal states like Odisha, the risk of working under scorching Heat waves impose multiple impacts Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Gujarat, sun during heat wave days due to on the society other than the health etc. have been bearing the brunt of economic compulsions, even though impacts. Agriculture, livestock, the heat waves impacts. Odisha and they are fully aware of the dos and poultry, and fishery are some of the Gujarat have activated Heat Health don'ts during heat waves as advised other sectors facing high impacts and Action Plans to adapt to this extreme by the state government. This may there is an urgent need for situation and other state explain the situation of why people systematic assessment of these governments are making elaborate are still dying in the state in spite of impacts to design policy plans on similar lines to control the so many years of awareness interventions for these sectors. Heat situation in their regions. Review of generation and heat action plan. In- waves are not declared as a natural Heat Action Plans makes it clear that depth studies need to be initiated to calamity in India and heat wave government actions are tuned explore why deaths are still losses are not covered by any type towards minimizing the human occurring and what extra work needs of insurances whereas cold waves health impacts only through reduced to be done? Is there a need for are. Other than health effects, losses exposure or providing medical economic incentives like differential from heat waves are invisible and facilities in case somebody suffers wage rate as people can work only attrition is difficult. Unless studies heat stress. The question comes for less number of hours or for are done and economic losses are whether this initiative is enough? By electricity subsidy as electricity use carefully measured, arguing for now, the state of Odisha has been is essential to adapt to heat and insurance cover will be difficult. doing such adaptive activities for subsidy can reduce the burden on – Saudamini Das, NABARD Chair more than 10 years and the question people? These issues need to be Professor, Institute of Economic comes whether the Government of examined carefully to bring out Growth, Delhi, India

8 southasiadisasters.net October 2018 COUNTRY RISK PROFILE Heat Wave As A New Norm in Vietnam

ietnam has usually experienced have exacerbated the effect of heat agricultural sector, where workers Vtemperature variation between waves. According to a UNDP paper4, operate in extreme heat conditions, 21oC to 28oC during the dry summer while Vietnam has experienced an under direct sunlight or in poorly season.1 However, last year, the increase in mean annual ventilated workplaces. northern parts of Vietnam temperature of 0.4oC since 1960 the experienced temperature in excess of expected increase is 0.8oC-2.7oC by Well-off citizens use air-conditioners, 40oC, with a peak of 42.5oC recorded 2060. Additionally, instances of heat avoid going outside under the sun in central Hanoi, nearly breaking the waves observed in Vietnam is rising or go to the water park to cool-off. city's 1926 record of 42.8oC.2 nationwide, especially in the central Authorities asked the relevant regions.5 supplying company to take all This extreme heat affected not only possible measures such as mobilise Vietnam but several regions in Records from Viet Nam National additional water container trucks, countries such as the USA, Western Hospital of Pediatrics in Ha Noi in speed up the construction of Europe and North Africa, all located 2007 show the hospital has been electricity plants to supply adequate in the Northern Hemisphere. treating about 1,500–1,700 children levels of fresh tap water and ensure Climate researchers now call per day, 30 per cent of whom are no power cuts, especially on days of 'simultaneous heat waves are the hospitalised with illnesses relating extreme heat. 'Ensuring that no new normal', attributing the to the hot weather6. Power outages households are without water is the most increasing heat wave severity and because of increasing demand and urgent tasks' – said Minister Dung. frequency to climate change.3 degradation of underground water For outdoor workers, or those in sources have aggravated not only poorly ventilated and constructed Vietnam's long line of coastal areas, direct health consequences, but also buildings, who have little bargaining degradation of environmental led to a reduction of production in power, the chances are slim. amenities, and rapid urbanisation those sectors, particularly the Research from COHED (The Center for Community Health and Development), Vietnam suggest that knowledge and awareness of precautions for dealing with heat stress remains low.7 Additionally, current labour laws do not provide adequate protection for workers. The risk of heat stress is exacerbated by a lack of health insurance and social protection.

While authorities are beginning to recognize that heat waves present a worsening health challenge, they have not yet acknowledged these as 'disaster' events, because possibly the impacts of these episodes are not visibly as destructive as other 'traditional' disasters in Vietnam such as flood or storm. The strategy to tackle heat waves, and build a resilient community, thus, remains Construction site workers in Da Nang stop to drink water and keep hydrated. limited to already affected areas such

October 2018 southasiadisasters.net 9 as Delta Mekong Rivers and the 'disaster'. Experiences learning and waves-are-basically-the-new- central regions, but not yet expanded sharing with countries which face normal to cities and urban areas. similar situations and have built rich 4. McSweeney, C., New, M. & Lizcano, G. (2012). UNDP experiences in the field such as India, Climate Change Country Profiles: Australia, etc. can encourage As Vietnam is a signatory of the UN Vietnam. Accessed at http:// Framework Convention on Climate adopting best available practices. country-profiles.geog.ox.ac.uk/. Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the – Thao Do, 5. Opitz-Stapleton, S. and Hawley, Paris Agreement on Climate IDS, Sussex, Vietnam K. (2014). Da Nang Vietnam: Change, Vietnam clearly needs a References: Heat Stress and Climate Change - holistic and comprehensive 1. Wikipedia. (2018). Climate in Policy Brief. Institute for Social approach to analyse and tackle the Vietnam. Accessed at https:// and Environmental Transition- International (ISET). cross-sectoral problems and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Vietnam#Climate. 6. VietnamNews. (2014). Heatwave consequences. Applying adaptive 2. Al Jazeera. (2017). Heatwave hit hits Hanoi with record measures to enhance capacity of much of Asia earlier than temperatures. http:// residents, increasing awareness expected. Accessed at https:// english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/ among employers and laborers, www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/ society/103239/heat-wave-hits- integrating city planning in 06/heatwaves-hit-asia-earlier- hanoi-with-record- addressing disasters, and enhancing expected-170607094644901.html temperatures.html collaborations between different 3. Berwyn, B. (2017). Simultaneous 7. Opitz-Stapleton, S. (2014). Da Nang Vietnam: Climate Change departments are suggestive widespread global heat waves are the new norm. Pacific Standard. Impacts on Heat Stress by 2050 - solutions that Vietnam can consider Accessed at https://psmag.com/ Summary Report. Institute for in tackling this new type of environment/so-yeah-these-heat- Social and Environmental Transition-International (ISET).

HEAT WAVES IN PHILIPPINES Heating Island Paradise: Philippine Temperature Rises

hile the Philippines welcomes Was many as at least 20 typhoons every year- some of them very destructive-it is also a well- known fact that the dry months (March–May) with less than average rainfall can be extremely hot. Months and days in some distinct locations (e.g., Tuguegarao City in northern Luzon and Cabanatuan City in central Luzon, but also in Pres. Rodrigo Duterte's Davao) could heat up to more than 40 degrees Celsius, effectively forbidding agricultural activities, causing some deaths, and forcing people to head for beaches, malls or anywhere the shade can minimize so-called "heat index". This file photo shows informal settlers' homes (foreground) dwarfed by highrise March-when the temperature begins buildings in the background near the port of Manila. to climb--is also the month when most fires occur, razing down of the rainy season from the The Philippines, together with a few communities with houses made southwest monsoon—sometime in other countries, "will face more than from light materials. Only the onset June—will ease the drought spell. 300 potentially lethal heat wave days

10 southasiadisasters.net October 2018 Source: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, 2018. each year under the business-as- Services Administration (PAGASA) Other countries have plans to deal usual emissions trajectory, known as declined to call 35 degree Celsius with heat waves. India's disaster RCP 8.5."1 As this has happened, car temperature conditions back then as management agency has some, so and cab aircons overheat, water heat wave. As "easterlies, warm, does the US. The Philippines can use reservoirs dry up, farm irrigation humid winds" blew from the Pacific studies like this which shows effects stops, rice yield drops prompting and heated the eastern section of the of temperature rather than heat massive importation. This is tied to archipelago, PAGASA also projected waves across sexes and age groups, the El Niño phenomenon that delays "isolated rain showers and but it may be too technical to be the rainy season and also cuts it thunderstorms" seemingly to assuage useful at all for specific short. public fears of worse weather. interventions. The country works mainly with addressing climate Studies indicate that this is all due Not so much–or inspite of--the change-related commitments and to climate change as countries, even temperature, it is the "heat index" actions and with releasing manuals signatories to promises to bring which could really be very for disaster risk reduction education. down temperature rise by miniscule dangerous specially to people with degrees Celsius, succumb to heart conditions when it rises to 51 In more direct ways, people increasingly longer heat wave degrees Celsius as it did in Nueva themselves try to address the heat durations. Luzon and Mindanao Ecija province on 9th April 2018. In index and heat wave concerns, have been identified as having more mid-April 2016, for consecutive suggesting what to do, and at least than 200 and 300 heat wave days, days, this province experienced over one UN agency focuses on the most respectively, and so-called "deadly 50 degrees Celsius heat index, and vulnerable. Somehow, "Lucifer' heat heat conditions" will be around up recurred in May the following year, waves have to be met head on. to the year 2050. However, in 2013, with dire consequence on water – Rolando Talampas, Asian Center, the state weather agency called buffalo production therein. University of the Philippine Diliman, Philippine Atmospheric, Tuguegarao shares Nueva Ecija's Quezon City, Philippines Geophysical and Astronomical great weather misfortune.

1 https://www.rappler.com/science-nature/environment/173433-study-global-warming-cap-heatwaves

October 2018 southasiadisasters.net 11 HEAT WAVE MITIGATION Heat Wave Action Plan – Ahmedabad

plan for extreme heat events fuelled by climate change. Each year the AMC and partners modify and prepare an updated Heat Action Plan.2

Therefore, the 2017 heat wave plan adopted comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events in Ahmedabad. The plan represented immediate and longer-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing, and response coordination to reduce the health Temperature and all-cause mortality correlation during the 2010 heat wave in impacts of extreme heat on Ahmedabad as compared to 2009 and 2011. vulnerable populations. The plan was inclusive of four key strategies: outh Asia has been identified as rise in daily mortality in 2010 Sone of the most vulnerable coinciding with the heat wave. This 1. To build public awareness and regions in the world exposed to the led to 1,344 additional deaths community outreach: impacts of climate change. The registered in the city during the Disseminating public messages current heat wave is one such month of May.1 on how to protect people against manifestation of the adverse impacts extreme heat through media of climate change on the region. Heat The 2010 heat wave was a wakeup outlets and informational waves are not categorized as call that intergovernmental agency materials such as pamphlets and disasters yet. However, the action, preparedness, and advertisements on heat stress increasing incidence of heat waves community outreach was needed to prevention. and their impacts on human health, save lives. Rising to this challenge 2. To utilize early warning system agriculture and livelihoods has of climate change and increasing heat and inter agency coordination: compelled governments to take note waves, the Ahmedabad Municipal Alerting governmental of this rising threat. Corporation (AMC) is working to agencies, the Met Centre, health prepare health systems and residents officials and hospitals, Climate change is leading to an against dangerous heat waves. The emergency responders, local increase in average temperatures first Heat Action Plan (HAP or Plan) community groups, and media and increased possibilities of severe was prepared in 2013 by the AMC outlets of forecasted extreme heat waves. Extreme heat can lead with help from national and temperatures through formal to dangerous, even deadly, health international academic experts and communication channels. consequences, including heat stress learning from global best practices 3. To build capacity among health and heatstroke. In addition to the on early warning systems and heat care professionals: providing heat, the citizens are exposed to poor adaptation. Ahmedabad launched a trainings focus on primary air quality, which is a common first-of-its-kind Heat Action Plan, medical officers and other problem this time of year. The city making it the first city in South Asia paramedical staff, and of Ahmedabad had a major heat to create a comprehensive early community health staff so they wave in May 2010, there was large warning system and preparedness can effectively prevent and

1 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0091831#abstract0 2 https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/ahmedabad-heat-action-plan-2017.pdf

12 southasiadisasters.net October 2018 manage heat-related cases so as and AMC staff and schoolchildren. also be provided for school children, to reduce mortality and The most vulnerable populations outdoor workers, and other morbidity. have been carefully identified vulnerable groups. The plan includes 4. Promoting adaptive measures through on-the-ground studies, focus communications outreach, such as an to reduce heat exposure: groups, interviews, and workshops early warning system that will Increasing outreach and that considered factors affecting heat immediately alert the public of communication on prevention exposure, susceptibility to heat- impending heat waves, the methods, access to potable related illness, and adaptive distribution of multilingual drinking water and cooling capacity. Hence, the Heat Action pamphlets, and long-term spaces during extreme heat Plan is tailored to help the city's at- awareness-building ad campaigns. days. Collaboration with non- risk residents cope with rising heat. Apart from this, there would be governmental organizations Ahmedabad's Heat Action Plan coordinated action by government was also identified as a means describes both immediate and agencies at the municipal, state, and to expand outreach and longer-term actions to increase national levels to ensure successful communication with the city's preparedness, information-sharing, implementation of the preparedness most at-risk communities. and response coordination to reduce plan and warning system. Impressed the health effects of heat on with the Ahmedabad model, civic The Ahmedabad model to counter vulnerable populations. It includes, bodies in Nagpur and Bhubaneswar heat wave effects has had an preventative training and awareness have also launched a similar impressive start and the most building for medical professionals initiative. positive impact has been on street and slum community outreach vendors, casual labourers, workers. Under the plan the heat- Ahmedabad's efforts are unique in construction workers, traffic police health protection trainings would South Asia, as countries and international organizations have yet to establish comprehensive heat preparedness plans in the region. In recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has included among its goals the strengthening of health systems to cope with the health threats posed by climate change. Among seven nations hosting WHO pilot projects related to climate change and health, China has an early heat warning system planned.3

The initiative can further be moulded in a more effective way by involving community based mitigation and responsive measures to the impacts of heat wave. This action plan can further be used as a reflection to construct or design the heat wave cope up strategies in other cities and states of India. It is therefore necessary because the incidents of heat waves are on a rise which undoubtedly effects the most vulnerable sections of the society. – Sushma Modi,

Photo: AIDMI. SOAS, University of London, and Selling water bottle on road side during hot summer afternoon's. AIDMI

3 https://www.ibef.org/archives/detail/bmV3cyYzNDEzOSYxMTM=

October 2018 southasiadisasters.net 13 HEAT WAVE PLANNING IN INDIA Role and Results of National Disaster Management Authority in Heat Wave Planning in India

eing the apex nodal agency of Social Media Campaign on Heat BDisaster Management in India, Wave the National Disaster Management NDMA has been extensively running Authority (NDMA) has played a heat wave awareness campaign on pivotal role, in dealing with various social media. NDMA's Beat The Heat disaster preparedness and response India campaign is being widely used activities, including Heat Wave and publicized by various Planning in the country. The role and stakeholders. Further it has also contribution of NDMA in the Heat come out with the basic awareness Wave Planning can be understood, stuff about heat wave on website by as per the following initiatives taken throwing light on Do's & Don'ts, tips in recent past: for treatment, emergency kits, resources and other allied NDMA Guidelines information, with the objective to Realizing the intensity of extreme spread alertness for communities. heat events and also the number of Besides this, short audio and video recorded deaths in recent years, spots are also used for greater public NDMA formulated Guidelines in Ramprasad is serving water in awareness. The campaign has 2016, for "Preparation of Action Plan scorching heat of Delhi. reached to masses with a message. – Prevention and Mitigation of Heat Wave" to address this pertinent issue response actions to be undertaken. Pushing States to embed Heat Wave in detail. The National Guidelines The Guidelines have specified roles in SDMPs were reviewed and revised again in and responsibilities of concerned In the last four years, NDMA has 2017 after the apex level national Ministries/ agencies for managing reviewed all States and UTs DM consultation. These Guidelines aim heat wave at respective levels. This Plans. And while reviewing, the to facilitate the stakeholders in actually helped in reducing number NDMA has encouraged the States preparing Heat Wave Action Plan by of deaths from 2400 in 2015, to 1100 and UTs to cover Heat wave in their providing insights into heat related in 2016 and to 200 in 2017 reportable State DM Plans. On the same lines, illness and necessary mitigative and cases across India. the States have started addressing the heat wave. Andhra Pradesh SDMP is a good example of heat wave coverage.

Encourage States for Heat Action Plans The current focus of NDMA is to encourage all the heat wave affected States and Cities to come out with their own heat wave action plans. And in this regard, NDMA has prepared specific checklist for States to develop Heat Action Plans. As of now, 11 States and 17 Cities have prepared the Heat Action Plans (HAPs). Now the State Governments are taking respective prevention, preparedness and mitigation measures to beat the heat. Rickshaw puller has only this option to survive in Capital.

14 southasiadisasters.net October 2018 Periodic Reviews with States and concerned States at regular intervals NDMA ensures that information and Departments through video conferencing as well. alerts (RED - Extreme Heat Alert, NDMA has organized periodic It is expected that such initiatives ORANGE - Severe Heat Alert, monitoring and review meetings at will really set the tone for better YELLOW - Heat Alert, etc.) reaching regular intervals with all concerned preparedness, towards addressing to the States, by verifying with State States, Central Ministries/ the heat wave and allied risks in the Emergency Operations Centers. Departments relating to Heat country. Waves. The academic institutions NDMA has functioned more of a and selected INGOs, UN agencies Issue of Advisory to the State and UTs facilitator rather than being as an were also involved in these NDMA also timely issues the authority, extending its support to consultations (organized in advisories, precautions, Do's and other stakeholders as partner and Telangana, 2017 and in Andhra Don'ts to the States and UTs, resource provider, to create an Pradesh, 2018). The best practices especially related to heat waves. enabling environment in order to were also shared. Further NDMA is However, primarily IMD informs deal with heat wave in country. taking stock of the progress with about the same via MHA, further – AIDMI Team

HEATWAVES AND PUBLIC HEALTH Impact of Heat Wave on Vulnerable Citizens in Indian Cities

ntroduction health consequences, including heat significant impact in India. The IClimate change is leading to an stress and heatstroke. A Heat Wave impact of heat wave has been more increase in average temperatures is a period of abnormally high adverse to the vulnerable groups of and increased possibilities of severe temperatures, more than the normal street vendors who are directly heat waves. Higher daily peak maximum temperature that occurs exposed to sun. temperatures and longer, more especially during the summer season intense heat waves are becoming in India. Heat Waves typically occur Methodology increasingly frequent globally due between March and June, and in A Survey with reference to heat to climate change. Extreme heat can some rare cases even extend till July. wave in 10 cities namely, lead to dangerous, even deadly, Extreme heat events already have a Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Bhuj,

October 2018 southasiadisasters.net 15 Mumbai, Machilipatnam, prone. Whereas, 28.5% constituted of impact of heat wave in day to day Vijayawada, Rajkot, Guwahati, Puri, elderly people and 22.3% of pregnant life. The surveyed results point out and Chatrapur around India was women susceptible to the impacts of that tree plantation (87.2%) is most conducted through survey forms heat wave. necessary and efficient way to reduce with concerned community impact of heat wave, furthermore, individuals randomly as well as The below two charts give an to control using polluting vehicle at municipal officials. The survey overall outline what can be done 41.2%. Though, the respondents consisted 10 questions on impacts of reduce the impacts of heat wave and recommends to have effective law heat wave, prevention measures on simultaneously what precautions on cutting trees and Use of heat wave and early warning were taken by the individuals to Compressed Natural Gas for Auto systems on heat waves in different survive the heat this summer. Rickshaw and other means of public cities of India etc. transport at 35.7% and 37.5% The graph diagram-1 illustrates respectively. Limitations what precautions were taken by While conducting the survey, it was individuals this summer to beat the Conclusion difficult for the team to approach the heat wave (in percentage). The The survey was conducted as an respondents with the term heat respondents were asked to fill up exercise to evaluate the community wave, as not all of them were aware more than one answer as per their knowledge on heat wave, its effects about it. Many explanations were satisfaction. 74.5% people followed and precautions from heat wave. The given on heat wave to guide the to drink lots of water, 44.90% people analysis suggested that not all respondents to fill up the forms. avoided going in direct sunlight and people are well aware about rise in 44.30% preferred staying indoors. heat and also its impacts. Whereas, Key Findings Furthermore, 42.60% people opted to precaution have not been community Total 165 responses from community drinking butter milk and other liquid based rather individual compression and 36 responses form officials were and 43.10% individuals initiated to to reduce vulnerabilities caused due noted from different cities of find a place to cool down during the to heat wave. There has been different age group and profession. afternoons. Subsequently, as shown positive response on effectiveness of Considering the gender aspect 80.8% in the graph other precaution early warning mechanism as participation was noted by males remained below 40%, but what is individuals are warned and advised and 19.1% from females. In the surprising is only 0.50% people chose cautiously. Furthermore, the survey conducted to identify what the most effective measure that is respondents gave suggestions on population of the society is more planting more trees on roads. how the early warning can diversify exposed to ill health due to heat through different mediums. wave, 44.2% of the respondents The graph diagram-2 illustrates – Vipul Nakum, AIDMI considered children to be more recommendations or steps to reduce

16 southasiadisasters.net October 2018 HEAT WAVE RESEARCH Impact of Heat Waves on Citizens

eat wave events are becoming Populations of Ahmedabad'. This This study was primarily conducted Hincreasingly common in India. study was conducted primarily with in Ahmedabad to understand how Globally, 2015 was the hottest year the participants who either stayed in well is the city's civic administration on record, beating the record set in the city's slums or worked on its is equipped to handle the risks of 2014 and making it the fourth time streets. The study focused on how extreme heat. The heat wave that this century that a new high the extreme heat affect the elderly, struck the city of Ahmedabad in May temperature record was set. In 2015, children, pregnant women living in 2010 resulted in 4,462 all cause heat waves in India killed more than slums as well as cobblers, porters, mortalities. In 2013, the Ahmedabad 2,300 people, making it the 5th auto drivers, construction site Municipal Corporation (AMC) highest in world history in terms of workers, kiosk operators and others launched the city's first Heat Action number of casualties. Most of the who have to brave the vagaries of Plan (HAP). Ever since, the casualties deaths concentrated in Andhra weather to earn a livelihood. All due to extreme heat have been Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, Odisha these people have to work in the considerably reduced. and Bihar. In 2016, India again extreme heat to make ends meet, In addition to the HAP of the experienced a similar heat wave often at the expense of their health. Ahmedabad civic administration, with the same deadly consequences. Most of the respondents reported AIDMI's research on the impact of reduced earnings as a result of this Despite claiming many lives and extreme heat on the citizens of the increased heat. Furthermore, the making countless people ill, heat city presented unique lessons. The respondents also identified some of waves in India are not considered a first lesson was the importance of the health hazards associated with calamity at the institutional level. In institutional efforts such as the heat the extreme heat such as fever, India's experience with heat waves, action plan (HAP) launched by the fatigue, respiratory problems, losing it is instructive to note that the AMC. These initiatives lend a greater consciousness, blurred vision, heat majority of casualties resulting from degree of efficacy and sustainability strokes, dehydration, experiencing the extreme heat are among the very to the mitigation and adaptation nausea and body aches. poor, elderly, outdoor labourers and efforts. The second lesson was the homeless, likely with pre- indispensability of early warning existing health problems and a systems in saving lives and lack of access to relief. As pointed reducing human distress. Perhaps out by UN's Intergovernmental the most important lesson was the Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), idea that extreme heat impacts climate change will aggravate the people from different frequency and severity of heat backgrounds differently. While waves in the coming years. All for the rich who have the option these factors necessitate building of cloistering themselves in air the resilience of the poor, conditioned rooms, this extreme marginalized and low income heat may be at best an communities in India to the adverse inconvenience. The poor on the impacts of heat waves. Thus, India other hand have no such luxury, needs institutional level planning to and often expose themselves to combat the threat of heat waves. the extreme heat to earn a livelihood. In 2015, the All India Disaster – Kshitij Gupta, Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) AIDMI conducted a study titled, 'The Impact of Heat Waves on the Vulnerable

1 How to Reduce Heat Wave Exposure among the Most Vulnerable, https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/ how-to-reduce-heat-wave-exposure-among-the-most-vulnerable/

October 2018 southasiadisasters.net 17 HEAT WAVE MITIGATION IN INDIA India Heading for Worst Summer and Heat Wave Across Half the Country

Maharashtra and coastal Andhra Pradesh.

It was also observed that extreme temperature is often underestimated and never reported as a disaster event, but records show that in the past decade heat waves were the second most deadly disaster event in India, after floods.1

As per the IMD forecast, regions where the temperature rise is likely to be moderate are south India and four northeastern states. The outlook shows that the seasonal average mean temperature in Tamil Nadu, south interior Karnataka,

Photo: AIDMI. Rayalaseema and north-eastern Street vendors have to often brave out the extreme heat in order to make a states of Nagaland, Manipur, living. Mizoram and Tripura is likely to be ccording to a scientist in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, less than 0.5 degrees Celsius above A Germany and Spain, heat where average temperatures could normal. waves are set to double in size by be a massive 2.3 degrees higher than 2020 and continue to grow in coming usual. Both states are known for their The forecast for the March-May decades, as heat trapping hill stations where thousands of period is prepared on the basis of greenhouse gases warm the global tourists throng to escape from the prevailing initial conditions in climate. According to India's scorching sun in Northern and February. weather department, the country is Western parts of the country. heading for a worst summer average "In the absence of other large scale temperature from March to May The seasonal forecast, released by signals during the March-May across half of the country will rise the IMD also notes that there is period, the increased temperatures by 1 degree Celsius. about 52% probability that predicted in the forecast can be maximum temperatures in the core attributed to global warming," said According to Indian Meteorological heat wave zone during the period D Sivananda Pai, head of IMD's long Department (IMD), these months are of March to May will touch their term forecasting division which expected to be particularly merciless peak-pointing to a high likelihood made the forecast. in north India including Delhi, along of heat waves in the country. This with Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, zone includes Delhi, Punjab, IMD are actually doing a very good which likely to see average Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, job in forecasting heat waves and temperatures soar over 1.5 degrees Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, media is also doing a good job by above normal. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, reporting these forecasts. But still it Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West was observed in the city or any other The maximum rise, however, has Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, place in India, people do not stop been projected in the hill states of Marathwada, Vidarbha, Madhya themselves to go outside even after

1 Heat action plans: Scaling up India's ambition to protect the climate-vulnerable, November 2017 available at https:// cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/CDKN_Heatwave-Guide_FINAL-WEB.pdf

18 southasiadisasters.net October 2018 these weather forecasts of extreme. union in Kolkata decided to stay off "We have suffered a lot from the For millions of the people, whose the roads between 11 am and 4 pm.2 heat. We could not sit inside, we livelihood is depend on daily could not work, people were labour, street vendors, sales Heat waves across the country has falling sick. After some people representatives, staying away from reached an alarming level, its not painted my tin roof with white the killer heat is still not a choice. only affected human, animals and reflective paint. I felt so much Apart from the petty vendors, senior better. The paint brought the the environment, even the roads are citizen, office and school goers, temperature down by several bearing the brunt of it. In another motorists, and pedestrians bore the degrees, and I have been able to instance of Delhi from 2015, several brunt of the sun and get affected by sit in my home, do my work." roads got melted under the the increasing heat. – Meenaben, Ahmedabad sweltering heat. This is making life even more miserable for the local A new analysis of mortality during Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. It was people, who are facing trouble heat waves shows that the death toll found that 38% of the respondents walking on it as their footwear is may rise by two and a half times had an opinion that heat waves getting stuck to the roads.3 Heat over the next 50 years. Recently a impacted their incomes. During the waves have directly impacting pilot study was conducted by All survey, it came out that of the total temperature sensitive sectors such as India Disaster Mitigation Institution respondents 31% favoured livestock and agriculture. The 2015 with small business owners in the newspaper alerts followed by local heat wave, killed 17 million chickens Guwahati city, Assam where it was TV alerts (25%), mobile SMS alerts within a month.4 found that among the total (21%), alerts directly through AMC respondents 64% were affected by officials' visit (16%) and others such Followed by such type of incidents, the rise in temperature in Guwahati as loudspeakers (7%) for emergency the government is taking action to City. 49% of the respondents affected alert. the risks posed by extreme heat. In by heat waves had faced damage to this regard, the city of Ahmedabad their livelihood products of which The frequent rise in temperature is leading the way. Ahmedabad is 46% indicated that they had faced a may affect the human health in the the first city to launch Heat Action reduction in sales, as appetite of long term which may cause serious Plan in 2013 and later on revised it customers reduced due to scorching health problems, including severe in 2016. The Plan creates immediate heat which results in fewer sales of dehydration, heat stroke and, in the and longer-term actions to increase food items, and 5% indicated major worst cases, death. The heat threat preparedness, information sharing, health problems like fever, sun may worsen in urban areas due to and response coordination to reduce stroke and Stomach problem. The heat absorbent building materials, the health impacts of extreme heat highest gross amount of loss and higher air pollution and a lack of on vulnerable populations. damage is Rs 60000 while the lowest vegetation. Moreover, extreme Furthermore, Ahmedabad Municipal amount of loss and damage suffered temperature may lessen the Corporation's contributions towards by the respondent is Rs 200 and the productivity if people remain too reducing the impact of heat waves average is Rs 2974. unhealthy or unwell or tired to are commendable. In 2017, AMC, work and this may direly impact the introduced 'cool roofs' initiative, Another research was carried out by socioeconomic life of human beings. which aimed to reduce heat risk in the All India Disaster Mitigation It was also observed in as few cities vulnerable slum settlements. Institute (AIDMI) to analyse the where schools, colleges and offices Gradually, cities are now conscious adverse impacts that the heat wave were remained close for one -two about having a specific action plan of 2014 has had on the vulnerable days due to extreme temperature. for heat waves. Although heat communities of the city of For instance, in 2015 taxi drivers wave/increased temperature is still

2 India today 2015, Heat wave forces Kolkata's yellow taxis to take five-hour break Available at https:// www.indiatoday.in/monsoon/monsoon-bad-news/story/kolkata-yellow-taxi-to-stay-off-the-roads-for-five-hour- summers-254684-2015-05-26 3 Janakiram Karthik, After Delhi, Now Silvassa Roads Are Melting Due To The Heat Wave, Making It Difficult To Walk, 2016, available at https://www.scoopwhoop.com/WTH-Roads-In-Silvassa-Are-Melting-After-Heat-Wave-In-India- Reaches-Extreme-Levels/#.df9gkh87y 4 Indian chicken prices surge to record as heat wave kills millions of birds , 2015, available at https://www.reuters.com/ article/india-heatwave-chicken/indian-chicken-prices-surge-to-record-as-heat-wave-kills-millions-of-birds- idUSL3N0YM0B920150601

October 2018 southasiadisasters.net 19 and this has been already implemented in Ahmedabad in 2013. 2. Subsidy on purchase of raw materials considering the loss of inventories suffered due to extreme heat. 3. Plantation of number of trees to reduce the ill impact of rising temperature. 4. Providing proper market shelter, drinking water and other basic infrastructure for micro business and other common people. 5. Building public awareness on extreme heat management strategies. 6. Use of media to communicate Photo: AIDMI. and alert the public about Fruit vendors like Satwan Prasad often suffer losses as their fruit gets quickly increasing temperature by line spoiled in the extreme heat. departments. a very new concept in India. There Moreover, there is a need to have 7. Recognizing increased is need for perfect blueprint which heat adaptation measures as follows: temperature as a major concern may work better for other cities and and there should be proper states too. Still India has a long way Measures to deal with extreme heat: preparedness plan to tackle to go to deal with extreme heat 1. In order to lessen the extreme increased temperature or through several experimentation, heat mortality, there should be extreme heat. evaluation research and all with a proper action plan on heat 8. Strong policies to reduce air learning by doing and these wave and implementation of the pollution and managing activities may ensure and help the same as well, which may be traffics. country to plan to tackle with heat done in coordination with – AIDMI Team waves as effectively as possible. government line departments

Editorial Advisors: Denis Nkala Madhavi Malalgoda Ariyabandu Regional Coordinator, South-South Cooperation Sub-Regional Coordinator, Central Asia & South and Country Support (Asia-Pacific), United Caucasus, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Nations Development Programme, New York Reduction (UNISDR), Kazakhstan

Ian Davis Mihir R. Bhatt Visiting Professor in Disaster Risk Management in All India Disaster Mitigation Institute, India , Lund, Kyoto and Oxford Brookes Dr. Satchit Balsari, MD, MPH Universities The University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, New York, USA Dr. John Twigg Senior Research Fellow in the Risk and Resilience T. Nanda Kumar programme, Overseas Development Institute Former Chairman, Institute of Rural Management (ODI), London Anand (IRMA), Anand, Gujarat, India

ALL INDIA DISASTER MITIGATION INSTITUTE 411 Sakar Five, Behind Old Natraj Cinema, Near Mithakhali Railway Crossing, Ashram Road, 20 Ahmedabad–380 009 India. Tele/Fax:southasiadisasters.net +91-79-2658 2962 October 2018 E-mail: [email protected], Website: http://www.aidmi.org, www.southasiadisasters.net