‘Heatwaves on rise, NMC has no new action plan’

Nagpur: Despite scientists warning of rising instances of heatwaves in the region, the mandatory heat action plan seems to have only remained on paper, point out experts.
The heat action plan aims to tackle temperature variability and climatic changes. It focuses on providing a framework for the implementation, coordination and evaluation of extreme heat response activities in a city so that negative health impact of extreme heat conditions can be reduced.
According to experts, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is allegedly putting the old plan on paper, without making the necessary changes every year. “Moreover, the plan doesn’t even seem to get implemented. NMC officials are not taking this seriously despite the situation getting worse,” said Kaustav Chatterjee, founder of NGO Green Vigil Foundation.
The existing heat action plans of many cities in the region, which witnesses the highest number of deaths due to heatwaves, are merely dos and don’ts for citizens, said Suresh Chopane, founder of Chandrapur-based Green Planet Society. “Cities are turning into heat islands. Rising temperatures give rise to many viral and other diseases and not just heatstrokes. Taking this seriously, the heat action plans should focus on controlling these diseases and also ensuring medical facilities for the same,” he said.
Suggesting some mitigation measures, Chatterjee said, “Installation of roadside safe drinking water facility is a must along with sprinklers for cool mist at railway and bus stations. Shelter and cool jackets and helmets should be provided to the police force standing in scorching heat. The working hours for labourers should also be changed.”
Highlighting that green nets should be put up at testing and vaccination centres, Chatterjee said, “The government should release regular heat alerts through various forms of media to keep citizens aware. Implementation of rainwater harvesting and cool roofs which can reduce inside temperature by 2-4 degree Celsius should also be done.”
Apart from increasing green cover, the local administration should also look at other aspects like curbing rise in temperature due to construction of cement roads, said Chopane. “Various local departments should come together to implement the plan,” he said.
As reported by TOI recently, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute’s (Neeri) environmental status report for the city stated that the average temperature and instances of heatwaves in Nagpur have been on a constant rise since last two decades. According to it, 80% of the years in 2000-2019 decades have their annual average temperature higher than the baseline value.
Advice on heat action plan:
- Focus and prepare for health problems due to rising temperature
- Install roadside safe drinking water facility
- Release regular heat alerts to aware citizens
- Adopt cool roofs which reduce inside temperature by 2-4 degree Celsius
- Implement rainwater harvesting
- Ensure green nets and shelter at testing and vaccination centres
- Curb rise in temperature from concretization of roads