Prepare 'Heat Action Plan', take all measures to avoid loss of life: PM Modi to states

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a meeting to review preparations for heatwave management and monsoon preparedness. The meeting was held amid the rampant rise in power demand and the subsequently worst electricity shortage in more than six years.

During the meeting, India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) briefed the PM about the persistence of high temperatures in March-May 2022 across the country.  

States and UTs have been advised to prepare 'Heat Action Plan's as a standard response at the state, district and city levels, noted the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in an official statement. 

Regarding southwest monsoon preparedness, PM Modi advised all states to prepare 'Flood Preparedness Plans' and undertake appropriate preparedness measures.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been advised to develop its deployment plan in flood-affected states. Active use of social media for sensitisation of communities has to be widely adopted, conveyed the PMO. 

PM Modi observed that authorities need to take all measures to avoid deaths due to heatwave or fire incidents. He added that response time towards any such incidents should be minimal.

The Prime Minister stressed that in view of the rising temperatures, regular hospital fire safety audits need to be done. 

PM spoke about the need to work to substantially reduce the vulnerability of forests across the diverse forest ecosystems in the country against fire hazards. He added that there is a need to enhance the capabilities of forestpersonnel and institutions for timely detection of a possible fire and for fighting fires, and to speed up recovery after a fire event.

PM Modi directed that in view of upcoming monsoons, arrangements for monitoring the quality of drinking water need to be ensured to avoid contamination and resultant spread of water-borne diseases.

It was discussed in the meeting about the need for effective coordination between central and state agencies to ensure preparedness of all systems for any incidents in the wake of heat wave and upcoming monsoons.

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary to PM, Advisors to PM, Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries in the Ministries of Home, Health, Jal Shakti, Member NDMA, DGs of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and DG NDRF.

 Also read: Power crisis in India: These states facing electricity problems; full list