Heatwave declared a natural disaster in Madhya Pradesh

The Union Home Ministry has directed that individuals affected by heatwaves, whether suffering from related health issues or fatalities, will now receive assistance similar to that provided for victims of floods, earthquakes, and lightning. As a result of this directive, the state government of Madhya Pradesh has officially classified heatwaves as a local disaster under the Disaster Management Act of 2005. This recognition allows for improved support and resources for those impacted by extreme heat events.

Heatstroke is a serious medical emergency that occurs when the body temperature exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). It typically results from excessive physical exertion in hot, humid environments. Symptoms may include confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. If not treated promptly, heatstroke can lead to organ failure, coma, or even death.

Heatstroke Fatalities Surge in Madhya Pradesh

A new report reveals the severe impact of this summer's heat waves in India, highlighting discrepancies between reported and actual heatstroke deaths. While the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) documented 360 heatstroke deaths, the recent investigation by HeatWatch and the Veditum India Foundation uncovered a significantly higher toll of 733 deaths and over 40,000 heat stroke cases across 17 states.

In three months, between March and May, there were at least 56 confirmed heatstroke deaths across the country. Out of which, 46 of them in May alone, according to Central government data. However, many believe that even these could be an undercount.

Madhya Pradesh had the most fatalities out of the 56 reported cases, with 14, Maharashtra had 11, Andhra Pradesh had 6, and Rajasthan had 5. These fatalities were monitored through the central government’s National Heat-Related Illnesses and Death Surveillance Program. This data, however, did not have numbers from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

In peak summer months, from March 1 to May, a total of 24,849 heatstroke cases have been reported, with 19,189 occurring in May alone. Madhya Pradesh topped the list with 6,584 cases, followed by Rajasthan with 4,357, Andhra Pradesh with 3,239, Chhattisgarh with 2,418, Jharkhand with 2,077, and Odisha with 1,998. In total, MoHFW data recorded 18 cases of heatstroke deaths this year.

An encouraging effort

On the instructions of the Union Home Ministry, this notification of the state government will come into effect from next summer. Saurabh Kumar Singh, Deputy Director of the State Disaster Management Authority, gave more information about this. He said that the new notification of the state government will come into effect in the summer of 2025. Severe heat is a problem in many areas of Madhya Pradesh. Many areas of Gwalior-Chambal division and Malwa-Nimar, including Bundelkhand, are worse affected.

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