Context: There have been calls for heat waves to be declared a notified disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

About the Notified Disasters in India

• India, a country with diverse geographical features, is prone to various types of disasters.

• The Disaster Management Act (2005) enacted in the wake of the Orissa super-cyclone (1999) and the Tsunami (2004), defines a disaster as a ‘catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence’ arising from ‘natural or man-made causes’.

• Currently, there are 12 categories of disasters which are notified under this Act.

• These are cyclones, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, and frost and cold waves.

• Heatwaves is not one of the disasters notified under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Reasons for Exclusion of heatwaves in the Act

• Previously Seen as Common – In 2005, when the DM Act was enacted, heatwaves were considered a regular summer occurrence, not a disaster.

• Financial Concerns – The government would be liable to provide compensation for deaths and injuries attributed to heatwaves.

• Attribution Difficulty – As heatwaves often exacerbate pre-existing conditions, pinpointing heat itself as the cause of death can be challenging.

• Finance Commission's Stance – The 15th Finance Commission felt the existing list of disasters sufficiently addresses state needs.

Funds under DMA (2005)

• Disaster Management Act (2005) allows states to draw money from the two funds, namely the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) at the national and state level respectively.

• The states first utilise the funds available in the SDRF, and only if the magnitude of the disaster is unmanageable with the SDRF, states seek the money from the NDRF.

• While the entire money of the NDRF comes from the Central Government, States contribute 25% of the money in the SDRF(10% in case of special category states), the rest comes from the Centre.

• The money in these funds cannot be used for any purpose other than response and management of notified disasters.

Heatwaves in India

• A Heat Wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season in the North-Western parts of India.

• The extreme temperatures and resultant atmospheric conditions adversely affect people living in these regions as they cause physiological stress, sometimes resulting in death.

Criteria for Heat Waves (as per the IMD)

• Heat waves need not be considered till the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C for Plains and at least 30°C for Hilly regions.

• When normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40°C

1. Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 5°C to 6°C

2. Severe Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 7°C or more

• When normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40°C

1. Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 4°C to 5°C

2. Severe Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 6°C or more

• When actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more irrespective of normal maximum temperature, heat waves should be declared.