NDMA ramping up Heat Action Plans, eyes parametric insurance to shield vulnerable workers

The official said that while directly attributing deaths to heatwaves is difficult, mortality numbers have reduced over the last five years due to NDMA and other efforts. Hospitals and Primary Health Centres have been alerted on handling heatwaves, with training arrangements and directives issued by the Health Department and Health Ministry; overall, treatment improvements have contributed to fewer heatwave-related deaths.

The NDMA official indicated that income losses faced by outdoor workers due to heatwave-related hour restructuring are being addressed through discussions on parametric insurance across several parts of the country. While defining triggers—such as temperature levels or duration of elevated heat—is complex, such insurance is being explored to ensure continuity of livelihoods.

Speaking to PTI Videos on the sidelines of GHCF, NDMA's Head of Department Krishna Vatsa said that each city and district has its own characteristics and Heat Action Plans must be tailored accordingly. He noted that NDMA has created approximately 300 Heat Action Plans and another 100 are in development, with measures including water provision, increased vegetation, cool roofs, and cooling shelters. He emphasized tailoring plans to local conditions and highlighted the need to protect vulnerable populations with umbrellas, water, and cooling shelters, also recommending structured outdoor working hours for labourers in fields or at construction sites.

The Global Heat and Cooling Forum (GHCF) 2026 was convened on April 20, 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, organized by the Natural Resources Defense Council in partnership with the NDMA, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. The event gathered government officials, policymakers, scientists, development institutions, and industry leaders to discuss extreme heat and sustainable cooling.