New Delhi: Pointing to the disproportionate impact of the rising frequency and intensity of the heatwave on marginalized sections, the National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday asked 21 states and Delhi to take advance action to protect vulnerable populations.
The elderly, children, infants and newborns are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of extreme heat. In addition, heat waves can lead to loss of livelihoods and increase the risk of fire incidents, the National Human Rights Commission said in a statement.
Mercury levels have risen in various states in the country over the past few days, and in Delhi, temperature readings crossed the 40 degree Celsius mark at many places.
In this context, the National Human Rights Commission has asked 21 states and Delhi to take advance action and implement relief measures to protect vulnerable populations during heat waves.
The states are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
“The high frequency, duration and intensity of heat waves disproportionately affect marginalized and economically weaker groups, outdoor workers and those displaced due to lack of adequate shelter and resources,” the committee noted.
Therefore, the National Human Rights Commission, in a letter addressed to the Chief Secretaries of these states and the Union Territory of Delhi, emphasized the urgent need for integrated and comprehensive measures.
The statement said that the human rights committee also highlighted the dangers faced by the economically weaker sectors, outdoor workers, the elderly, children and newborns, especially those displaced due to heat waves amid insufficient shelter and resources.
Highlighting National Crime Records Bureau data on reported deaths of around 3,712 people in India due to heat or heat stroke between 2019 and 2023, the committee urged them to plan and facilitate smooth implementation of relief measures in accordance with existing standard operating procedures or guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority to mitigate the impact of heatwaves and prevent casualties.
The statement added that the National Human Rights Commission called for uniform procedures for reports received from provinces at the state or federal levels.
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