Telangana prepares for “warming planet” and plans for higher pre-gratia, zone heat waves

The Indian Meteorological Department warned that in all climates, average temperature and heat wave frequency should rise. |Picture source: File Photo

Telangana followed Kerala and Tamil Nadu’s footsteps, formally acknowledging Heatwaves as a “state-specific disaster” and raised the former Gratia amount for victim families to Rs 4 lakh. The move comes as India’s meteorological department warns that in all climates, average temperatures and heat wave frequency will rise.

Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar issued a government order to articulate Heatwave’s steps, which he said was driven by two key issues. “If the disaster is not declared, many people’s death toll is not declared, resulting in a shortage. Secondly, the affected families are below Aapatbandhu,” he added.

With rapid industrialization, Telangana witnessed the continued increase in the number of high-temperature days. Between 2014 and 2023, Jagtial recorded 98 heat wave days, followed by Pedapalli and Manchester, 91 per person, Karimnagar’s 77, Adilabad and 71.

IMD classifies heat wave days as a temperature reaches at least 40°C, with a deviation of 40°C from normal or continuous 45°C.

“We have also prepared a regionally specific thermal action plan for the first time for all regions, which will be more of a preventive measure, and this measure is to ensure that the death of Heatwave is taken into account without the suffering of the family,” Mr Kumar said.

A 2024 study on the link between heat waves and mortality rates in multiple Indian cities concluded that “When using the 1-day heat wave definition as a proxy for the IMD guidelines, we still observe an increased risk of death, even a single extreme calorie day as a public health significance, and also emphasizes the implications of the relevant policy.”

According to the National Criminal Records Bureau (NCRB), between 2000 and 2020, 20,615 deaths were caused by stroke. 730 people died in 2022, and NCRB data is available. In 2021 (during the 19th pandemic), there were 374 stroke deaths. According to IMD data, 459 people died during the 2024 heat wave.

By the way, Kerala is someone who Tamil Nadu then notified the heatwave as a “state-specific disaster” in October 2024. The higher outside world of the former gratia will be in line with the recommendations of the 14th Finance Committee, which allows the state government to allow the state government to provide a 10% national aid fund for the annual allocation of funds for the state’s disease, thus providing a specific competitor to the victims.

According to IMD, 2024 was the hottest year, with temperatures above the long-term average (1991-2020 period). “This marks the warmest year since the start of national records in 1901, surpassing the previous highest temperature observed in 2016, with an anomaly of +0.54°C,” the IMD noted. The state government has used this information as a reason for the action plan.