Building Capacity to Address Intensifying Heat in Rajasthan, India

This blog was co-authored by Dr. Ritika Kapoor and Abhiyant Tiwari of NRDC India

Rising temperatures due to climate change pose an immediate and growing threat to the health and livelihoods of millions of people in India, exacerbating the risks of heat-related illnesses and fatalities. With over 700 heat wave events recorded in the past five decades and an increasing heat-related mortality rate (according to a 2021 study), the urgency to implement effective adaptation strategies has never been greater. The World Bank projects that India could lose up to 34 million jobs because of heat stress by 2030. These growing heat risks highlight the critical need for comprehensive Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in Indian cities that can help bolster local resilience. These plans aim to equip municipal decisionmakers with essential insights into heat-related health risks and guide them towards proven response actions. By fostering collaboration among local stakeholders-including government departments, local communities, and health professionals-HAPs can mobilize resources and help ensure that vulnerable populations are better protected.

In July 2024, NRDC collaborated with India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Uttar Pradesh State Government to spearhead a state-focused HAP training workshop in Lucknow as part of a longer-term capacity building initiative. With state leaders and municipal staff from urban local bodies at the same table, this workshop facilitated new conversations to accelerate heat awareness and adaptation planning. In response to constructive outcomes in Uttar Pradesh, NRDC and a range of expert technical partners have continued planning for additional heat training workshops in additional Indian states.

Advancing Heat Preparedness Across Rajasthan, India

Extreme heat risks in the state of Rajasthan are clear and compelling. In May 2024, the city of Sri Ganganagar in western Rajasthan recorded a staggering maximum temperature of 49.6°C, breaking a 75-year record for the month of May. That same month, Churu registered record-breaking temperature of 50.5°C, 7.5°C degrees above the normal maximum. In response to the alarming toll of heat-related deaths in the state, the Rajasthan High Court took suo motu cognizance of the situation, urging the Union government to classify extreme weather events, including heat waves, as national calamities. Despite Rajasthan's established HAP in place, the court noted that its implementation has been insufficient and requires further effort to achieve its intended effects.

Historically, Rajasthan has been one of the regions most affected by extreme heat in India, and heat exposures are compounded low and inconsistent rainfall patterns. In 2022, city leaders in Jodhpur collaborated with NRDC and Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) to launch a citywide HAP to and formalize local heat planning. The Jodhpur plan, developed based on local data and community input, enables the city to better organize response actions that will protect public health.

Building on the success in Jodhpur, in October 2024 NRDC and NDMA organized a state-level heat preparedness workshop in Jaipur, Rajasthan, convening government officials from Urban Local Bodies, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), and health experts. Additional leading voices, including District Magistrates representatives from 40 districts of Rajasthan participated.

After an inaugural session at the workshop and remarks from NRDC India's Director of Programs Chinmaya Acharya, Shri Anand Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the SDMA, addressed the pressing issue of worsening heatwaves and the necessity for proactive solutions. He advocated for the implementation of preventative measures and the issuance of clear directives to communities on the ground. He also highlighted that such training sessions and collaborative discussions are essential for advancing effective action in this challenge.

Ms. Rakhee Sadhu, Deputy Secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), stressed the importance of developing local-level HAPs. She articulated that these plans are crucial for maximizing their benefits to the community, ensuring that responses are tailored to the specific needs of local populations.

Shri Bhagwant Singh, SDMA Joint Secretary, outlined awareness initiatives, such as Sachet Portals, that are available to educate the public during heatwaves. He noted that relevant departments are taking additional measures to protect vulnerable populations during these extreme weather events.

Dr. Krishna Vatsa, a member of the NDMA, brought attention to the need for including humidity as a key indicator in assessing thermal comfort, particularly given Rajasthan's changing climate, which has seen increased rainfall compared to previously drier conditions. He highlighted the vulnerability of specific groups to extreme heat, including outdoor workers, women in domestic settings, and construction workers, emphasizing the need for their inclusion in HAP development. In his remarks, Dr. Vats referenced a recent notification from the NDMA that outlines provisions for utilizing the National Disaster Management Fund (NDMF) and the State Disaster Management Fund (SDMF) for effective heatwave management.

Technical Sessions on Heat Adaptation

Abhiyant Tiwari (NRDC India) led session aimed at gauging the audience's perceptions regarding heatwaves. This interactive exercise not only fostered participation but also illuminated diverse perspectives on specific ways to improve heat preparedness:

• Most respondents indicated that extreme heat primarily affected human health, followed by productivity losses, power supply disruption, and fatigue.
• A large share (88%) of respondents believed that heatwave management was a collective responsibility shared by the Health and Family Welfare Department, NDMA and SDMA, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rather than the sole responsibility of any single organization.
• Almost three-quarters (71%) of respondents expressed concern about rising daytime and nighttime temperatures, along with increased humidity in Rajasthan.
• The majority identified outdoor workers as the most vulnerable to extreme heat, followed by children, the elderly, and women.
• 60% of respondents reported that HAPs are operational in their districts.

The remaining technical sessions addressed critical topics: forecasting of heat risks, the history of HAP development in India, the necessity for vulnerability analyses to prioritize heat response actions, the importance of clear governance and community engagement, ways to shape health sector responses, opportunities to secure HAP financing, and strategies for mitigating heatwaves. These discussions were led by experts from the Council of Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), Mahila Housing Trust (MHT), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), IMD Jaipur, and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

An Emphasis on Action

This second heat adaptation capacity building workshop marks a significant milestone in state-level action to address the challenges posed by heatwaves in Rajasthan. The convening of stakeholders furthers a dialogue to develop and implement solutions that will improve community well-being and resilience. By emphasizing the importance of action in an increasingly unpredictable climate, this event helps to foster a proactive approach to public health and safety.

Through continued collaboration and knowledge sharing, Rajasthan can develop robust frameworks that not only address the immediate impacts of rising temperatures but also lay the groundwork for sustainable solutions. Proactive approaches will help cultivate a culture of preparedness, strengthening communities across the state as they navigate the escalating challenges of a changing climate.

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