In the recent years death due to heat waves have decreased significantly. However, the figures for the year 2023 are not yet updated by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is a fact that, annual temperature is increasing globally and the impact of the same is reflected in the increase in heat waves in various parts of the globe including India. IMD issues forecast and warnings related to severe weather events including heat waves in different spatial and temporal scales and share the same with public as well as disaster management authorities so as to initiate required mitigation measures.

In the country, appreciable rise in maximum temperatures as well as heat waves are found to be more in the months of April, May & June. As an initiative IMD is issuing Seasonal Outlook for temperatures for the months of April, May & June in the last week of March for planning purpose. This outlook brings out the expected scenario of heat waves also during the period. The seasonal outlook is followed by Extended Range Outlook issued on every Thursday for next two weeks. In addition to this, the forecast and the colour coded warnings for severe weather including heat wave warning are issued on daily basis for next five days with outlook for another two days.

As an adaptive measure, IMD in collaboration NDMA and local health departments have started heat action plan in many parts of the country to forewarn about the heat waves and also to advise the actions to be taken during such occasions.  Currently, 23 States that are prone to high temperatures leading to heat-wave conditions are part of the heat action plans.

Recently IMD has launched Heat Index, which provides information about the impact of humidity on the high temperatures and thus provides a feel like temperature for human beings which can be used as an indication for human discomfort. It provides guidance towards additional care to be taken by people to reduce discomfort.

There is no specific fund allocation for the purpose of heat wave related services. Under the central sector scheme “Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)” the expenditure involved towards the services of IMD for the period from 2018 to 2023 is given below:

ACROSS-IMD
Year	Budget Estimates	Revised Estimates	Actual Expenditure
	(In INR in Crore)
2018-19	186.46	185.89	175.93
2019-20	207.17	224.73	206.02
2020-21	249.22	155.20	150.35
2021-22	255.40	193.68	183.73
2022-23	216.71	216.41	211.00

This information was given by Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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