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Context:

The Tamil Nadu government has officially declared heatwaves a State-specific disaster and announced ex-gratia payment of Rs. 4 lakh for families of individuals who die of heat-related causes.

About State-specific disaster

It is a local disaster that is not on the Ministry of Home Affairs list of disasters but is announced by the state government. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is responsible for state-specific disasters.

State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)

It is responsible for coordinating the response to disasters and reducing risks. All measures for mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery are undertaken under the guidance and supervision of the Authority. The SDMA approves the State Disaster Management Plan and District Disaster Management Plans in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the National Disaster Management Authority.

What is a Heatwave?

A heatwave can be defined as a period where local excess heat accumulates over a sequence of unusually hot days and nights.  Heatwaves amplify many risks, such as health-related or economic risks, including increased human mortality, drought and water quality, wildfire and smoke, power shortages, and agricultural losses.  

Heatwaves have spread rapidly into new regions of the globe and occur at unseasonable times of the year. The IPCC states that with further global warming, we can expect an increase in the intensity, frequency, and duration of heatwaves. 

Multiple risks interact with heatwaves such as droughts, fire weather, flash flooding, and air pollution which have compounding impacts for people and nature.

What is the criterion for declaring a heat wave in India?

Heatwave is considered if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions.

a) Based on Departure from Normal Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 4.50°C to 6.40°C Severe Heat Wave: Departure from normal is >6.40degree C

b) Based on Actual Maximum Temperature Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥ 450°C Severe Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥47

c) If the above criteria were met at least in 2 stations in a Meteorological sub-division for at least two consecutive days and it declared on the second day.

READ ABOUT

heatwaves

Heat Waves

Extreme heatwave warning, take precautions

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

national disaster relief funds

NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (NDMA)

Source:

THE HINDU 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Disasters often have state-specific characteristics, influenced by geographical, climatic, and socio-economic factors. Discuss with examples how different Indian states are prone to specific types of disasters and the measures adopted by them to mitigate these risks. (250 words)