Daily Current Affairs : 13-June-2024

In recent years, India has been experiencing severe heatwaves, especially during the summer months. This has sparked renewed discussions about whether heatwaves should be formally recognized as disasters under the Disaster Management Act (DM Act) of 2005. Currently, heatwaves are not considered disasters under the law, but the growing impact of these extreme weather events has raised important questions about their inclusion.

The Disaster Management Act (DM Act)

The DM Act, established in the wake of the 1999 Odisha super-cyclone and the 2004 tsunami, defines a disaster as an event that causes significant loss of life, damage to property, or harm to the environment. The Act helps regulate the allocation of resources for disaster management, primarily through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). However, the Act currently covers only 12 types of disasters, including cyclones, earthquakes, floods, and droughts. Heatwaves are not included in this list.

States’ Efforts to Manage Heatwaves

Although heatwaves are not officially recognized as disasters, many states in India have developed local heat action plans to mitigate their effects. These plans focus on measures like:

  • Public awareness campaigns
  • Setting up heat shelters
  • Providing cooling centers

However, the implementation of these plans faces significant challenges due to financial constraints and lack of resources. Without national recognition as a disaster, heatwaves do not receive sufficient funding or attention from the central government.

The Financial Dilemma

The reluctance to officially classify heatwaves as a disaster primarily stems from concerns over the financial implications. If heatwaves were recognized under the DM Act, it would mean allocating funds from the NDRF and SDRF for heatwave management. Some argue that attributing deaths solely to heatwaves is difficult, as many victims have pre-existing health conditions. This complexity adds to the hesitance of the central government to make heatwaves a nationally notified disaster.

Important Points:

Heatwaves in India: India has been experiencing severe heatwaves, especially in summer, raising the question of whether they should be officially recognized as disasters.

Disaster Management Act (DM Act): The DM Act of 2005 defines disasters as events causing significant loss of life, property, or environmental damage. It currently includes 12 types of disasters but excludes heatwaves.

States’ Efforts: Many states have developed local heat action plans to manage heatwaves, which include:

  • Public awareness campaigns
  • Heat shelters
  • Cooling centers However, these plans face financial and resource constraints.

Financial Implications: The reluctance to classify heatwaves as a disaster stems from concerns over the financial impact and the complexity of attributing deaths solely to heatwaves, as many victims have pre-existing health conditions.

Current Disaster Funding: The NDRF and SDRF allocate resources for managing notified disasters. Heatwaves are not included, limiting national support for addressing them.

Call for National Recognition: Climate change is causing more frequent and severe heatwaves, highlighting the need for national recognition and proper resources to protect vulnerable communities.

Why In News

The ongoing discussion on including heatwaves as a notified disaster under the Disaster Management Act (DM Act) has reopened due to the extreme heat in many parts of India, with rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves causing increasing concern for public health and safety.

MCQs about Recognizing Heatwaves as Disasters in India

  1. Why has the discussion on recognizing heatwaves as a disaster under the Disaster Management Act (DM Act) been revived?
    A. Due to the frequent occurrence of floods
    B. Because of the extreme heat in many parts of India
    C. Due to the increase in cyclone activity
    D. Due to the rise in droughts across the country
    Correct Answer: B. Because of the extreme heat in many parts of India
    Explanation: The ongoing discussion has been revived primarily due to the increasing intensity of heatwaves in various parts of India, which has raised concerns about the need for national disaster management strategies to address this growing problem.
  2. Which of the following types of disasters are currently included in the Disaster Management Act (DM Act)?
    A. Heatwaves, cyclones, and fires
    B. Floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis
    C. Heatwaves, droughts, and hailstorms
    D. Heatwaves, earthquakes, and landslides
    Correct Answer: B. Floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis
    Explanation: The DM Act currently includes 12 types of disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis. Heatwaves are not yet part of this list, despite increasing calls for their inclusion.
  3. What is one of the main reasons for not officially recognizing heatwaves as a disaster under the DM Act?
    A. The complexity of predicting heatwaves
    B. The high cost of implementing heat action plans
    C. The difficulty in attributing deaths solely to heatwaves
    D. The lack of public interest in heatwave management
    Correct Answer: C. The difficulty in attributing deaths solely to heatwaves
    Explanation: One of the main reasons for the reluctance to classify heatwaves as disasters is the difficulty in attributing deaths directly to heatwaves, as many victims may have underlying health conditions that contributed to their deaths.
  4. What do states in India typically focus on in their local heat action plans?
    A. Setting up early warning systems for cyclones
    B. Public awareness campaigns, heat shelters, and cooling centers
    C. Disaster drills and preparedness for floods
    D. Monitoring earthquakes and providing relief during tsunamis
    Correct Answer: B. Public awareness campaigns, heat shelters, and cooling centers
    Explanation: States in India have developed local heat action plans that focus on raising public awareness, establishing heat shelters, and providing cooling centers to help manage the impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations.

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