India’s Heat Action Plan (HAP)

India’s Heat Action Plan (HAP): Why in News?

India is experiencing one of its most prolonged and severe summers, with record-breaking heatwaves starting as early as February and continuing through March and April. This extreme heat has exposed the inadequacy of current Heat Action Plans (HAPs), raising concerns among researchers and climate campaigners about the preparedness of local governments.

About Heat Action Plans (HAPs):

• Policymakers design HAPs to prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme heat events.

• India’s first HAP was launched in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) in 2013.
• Key components generally include:

Early warning systems

• • Public awareness campaigns
  • Cooling centers and shaded shelters
  • Coordination among departments (health, transport, education, etc.)
  • Advisories to schools, hospitals, and employers

Challenges in Implementation:

• Only a few Indian cities and states have formal HAPs
• Lack of funding, technical expertise, and inter-departmental coordination
• Climate models and data are not sufficiently localized
• Poor infrastructure and heat-vulnerable urban design worsen the crisis

Way Forward:

• Scale up and strengthen Heat Action Plans across all vulnerable districts
• Improve data-driven decision making using AI and GIS-based mapping
• Incorporate heat-resilient urban planning and nature-based cooling solutions
• Ensure inclusive planning with a focus on marginalized and at-risk populations
• Integrate HAPs with National Disaster Management Plans (NDMP) and climate adaptation frameworks