Cabinet Secretary Advices States, UTs to be Well-Prepared for Hotter than Usual Summer in 2023

Gauba issued the directive while chairing a meeting to review summer preparations and mitigation measures. According to the Cabinet Secretary, "because a hotter than normal summer is expected in 2023, states and UTs must be adequately prepared to meet the associated challenges."

Gauba, on the other hand, stated that the Central Ministries and Departments have been working closely with the States and UTs to ensure optimal preparedness levels and timely mitigation measures. He asked Chief Secretaries to meet with the relevant Departmental Secretaries and District Collectors to assess readiness for a possible heat wave.

Gauba requested that advisories issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) be translated and widely disseminated in regional languages. The Cabinet Secretary also emphasised the importance of basic preparations such as hand pump repair, fire audits, and mock drills, and assured the states that Central agencies will continue to closely coordinate with them and be available for assistance as needed.

Secretaries from relevant Central Ministries, Departments, and Chief Secretaries from states and UTs across the country were present. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) gave a presentation on global weather phenomena and temperature forecasts for March to May 2023. There was also a forecast for the second two weeks of March 2023.

The IMD forecasted above-normal maximum temperatures for most of North-East, East, and Central India, as well as some parts of North-West India, for the period March to May 2023. The IMD also stated that minimum temperatures are more likely to be above normal in most parts of the country, with the exception of South Peninsular India, where temperatures are likely to be normal to below normal.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) gave a presentation on global weather phenomena and temperature forecasts for March to May 2023. There was also a forecast for the second two weeks of March 2023. The IMD forecasted above-normal maximum temperatures for most of North-East, East, and Central India, as well as some parts of North-West India, for the period March to May 2023.

The IMD also stated that minimum temperatures are more likely to be above normal in most parts of the country, with the exception of South Peninsular India, where temperatures are likely to be normal to below normal. The Secretary of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) stated that the National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illness (NAP-HRI) released by MoHFW in July 2021 outlines the challenges posed by heat waves, heat-related illnesses, and their management from primary to tertiary level.

He advised states to assess their health-care facility readiness in terms of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, ice packs, ORS, and drinking water. He also emphasised the significance of timely dissemination of critical IEC/awareness material, which should be translated into regional languages. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Director General (Forests) outlined the action plan and preparedness for forest fire management.

State Forest Departments created fire lines and water harvesting structures, controlled burning, and engaged fire watchers in high fire-prone areas. He also mentioned that the Forest Survey of India (FSI) has created the VAN AGNI portal, which provides pre-fire and real-time forest fire alerts.

The Home Secretary outlined MHA and NDMA efforts and stated that the National Guidelines for Preparation of Action Plans for Heat Wave Prevention and Management were issued in 2016 and revised in 2017 and 2019. Heat Action Plans (HAPs) should be developed and implemented at all levels by states.

"In addition, awareness programmes will be broadcast on Doordarshan and All India Radio in March, April, and May 2023. "The NDMA will also lead a community sensitization effort across all Social Media platforms," Bhalla said during the meeting. The Secretary of Power emphasised the importance of completing all maintenance activities in power plants by March 2023. He also asked the states of Punjab and Rajasthan to increase coal production through captive power plants.

Secretaries from the Departments of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, and Animal Husbandry and Dairying outlined the proposed drinking water, irrigation, and fodder measures.