The number of deaths due to heatwaves has decreased significantly in India during recent years. Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju said this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

According to data by National Crime Record Bureau, the number of accidental deaths due to heatwaves decreased from 1127 in 2017 to 374 in 2021. The minister informed that the India Meteorological Department-IMD in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority-NDMA analysed the impact of the heatwave and has published the guidelines accordingly for the general public. As an adaptive measure, IMD, in collaboration with NDMA and local health departments, started Heat Action Plan across many parts of the country to forewarn about heat waves and also advise action to be taken during such occasions. He further added that NDMA and IMD are working with 23 states prone to high temperatures leading to heat-wave conditions to develop heat action plans.