NHRC Urges States to Act Early as Heatwaves Intensify, Seeks Compliance Reports

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has written to the Chief Secretaries of 21 states and the Union Territory of Delhi, calling for immediate preparatory steps to safeguard vulnerable populations from the escalating impact of heatwaves.

In its communication, the Commission has asked authorities to implement advance relief measures and submit action-taken reports outlining steps taken to mitigate risks and prevent heat-related deaths. The directions align with existing guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which prescribe coordinated responses to extreme weather events.

The NHRC flagged the growing frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves across the country, noting that the burden falls disproportionately on marginalised communities, daily-wage labourers, outdoor workers, and the homeless, who often lack access to adequate shelter and cooling resources. It stressed that the elderly, children, infants, and newborns face heightened health risks during extreme heat conditions.

The Commission also pointed to broader socio-economic consequences, including loss of livelihoods and an increased likelihood of fire-related incidents during prolonged heat spells.

Citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the NHRC noted that more than 3,712 deaths linked to heat or sunstroke were reported in India between 2019 and 2023. The figures, it said, underline the urgent need for a coordinated, inclusive, and proactive response framework at both state and local levels.