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Context: The inclusion of heatwaves as a notified disaster under the Disaster Management Act (DM Act) in India has been a topic of ongoing debate and consideration.

Reasons for Not Including Heatwaves as Notified Disasters

• Historical Context: When the DM Act was enacted in 2005, heatwaves were not considered unusual or catastrophic events. They were seen as seasonal occurrences during summer, affecting large parts of northern, eastern, and central India regularly.
• Definition of Disaster: The DM Act defines a disaster as a catastrophe or calamity arising from natural or man-made causes, resulting in substantial loss of life, property, or damage to the environment. At the time of its inception, heatwaves did not meet the threshold of being perceived as beyond the coping capacity of the community, which is a criterion for notification.
• Financial Implications: Including heatwaves as a notified disaster would entail financial responsibilities for the government, including compensation for lives lost. The standard compensation is Rs 4 lakh per deceased person, which could become a significant financial burden given the potential scale of heatwave-related deaths.
• Attribution Challenges: Unlike other disasters where causal attribution is more straightforward (e.g., deaths due to drowning in floods), heat-related deaths are often attributed to exacerbation of pre-existing conditions rather than direct heat exposure. This complicates the process of determining which deaths should be compensated under a notified disaster status.
• Response Mechanisms: State governments have been using their own funds to implement Heat Action Plans (HAPs), which include measures like creating shaded spaces, providing cool water, and adjusting school and office schedules. These activities have been managed through local disaster provisions within the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), without needing central notification.

Current Developments and Considerations

• State Actions: Some states, such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala, have independently notified heatwaves as local disasters under the new enabling provision of the DM Act. This allows them to use up to 10% of their SDRF for managing heat-related impacts.
• Finance Commission Recommendations: The 15th Finance Commission did not find sufficient merit in including heatwaves as a national notified disaster, stating that the existing list already covers most needs. It recommended enhancing flexibility for states to use SDRF funds for local disasters like heatwaves or lightning.
• Public Health Concerns: With the increasing severity and frequency of heatwaves due to climate change, there is growing pressure to recognize heatwaves as a significant public health challenge requiring systematic response and management strategies.

Notified Disasters

• Notified disasters under the Disaster Management Act (DM Act) of 2005 are specific categories of catastrophic events that are officially recognized for providing relief and assistance to affected populations.
• These disasters must cause substantial loss of life, destruction of property, or damage to the environment.
• There are currently 12 categories of disasters notified under the DM Act: cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, and frost and cold waves.
• Affected states can access financial assistance through two main funds: the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
  • The SDRF is used by states for immediate relief measures following a notified disaster, while the NDRF provides additional financial support if the severity of the disaster exceeds the SDRF's capacity.

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Source:

Indian Express

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