Prepare for above-normal heat days to prevent deaths, says Center for States | Today’s news
The Union Health Ministry has directed all states and Union Territories to be operationally prepared to face the above-normal number of heat days as predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to reduce risks to public health and preventable deaths.
In a peer-reviewed communication MintUnion Health Minister Punya Salila Srivastava said extreme heat was forecast for coastal areas in Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh, along with some regions in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
A heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40 °C in plains, 37 °C in coastal areas or 30 °C in hilly areas. Alternatively, it will automatically trigger if any station records an actual maximum temperature of 45°C or higher.
Against the backdrop of record temperatures such as 48.2°C recently recorded in Banda in Uttar Pradesh, Srivastava warned of above normal heat wave days in June was expected in eastern, central and northwestern India and the southeastern peninsula, while many coastal areas of Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and isolated areas of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka are also likely to be affected.
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“In line with projections”
Prasoon Singh, Fellow and Area Convenor, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), “Compared to last year, the data suggest above-normal average temperatures and the situation appears to be worsening in line with climate model projections. This year, heat intensity is likely to be slightly higher, while the monsoon is forecast to remain below normal, increasing overall climate stress.”
He added that simple urban interventions such as greening roads, increasing tree cover and providing shade can significantly reduce local heat stress. “These measures may seem incremental, but they can have a substantial impact on improving thermal comfort in cities.”
Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare, said, “Extreme heat is a medical emergency. Prolonged exposure causes heatstroke, dehydration and organ stress (especially in the elderly and children).
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She urged all health facilities to immediately set up dedicated heatstroke management units and ensure enough ambulances to handle the surge. Local authorities have also been directed to ensure real-time reporting of heatstroke cases on the ministry’s integrated health information portal.
The IMD has warned that severe heat waves will persist over central India for seven days, affect eastern peninsular India till May 26 and spread over northwest India from May 24 to 29. A senior official familiar with the matter said, “We are in the process of collecting data from states and UTs on heat stroke cases.”
In 2024, India recorded an all-time high of 554 hot days, more than double the previous year’s number. Because experience from multiple regions of the country strong heat waves at the same time, during the peak summer months, the total in all regions easily exceeds 365 days in a calendar year.
According to publicly available reports, the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) recorded over 41,000 suspected cases of heatstroke and 143 confirmed deaths in 2024. Between March 1 and June 24, 2025, there were 7,192 cases of heatstroke and 14 confirmed deaths.
Inquiries emailed Saturday to a Health Department spokesperson remained unanswered at the time of publication.
“Hospitals must prepare for rising cases by providing emergency systems, cooling infrastructure and critical care. Ultimately, prevention is key. Individuals should stay hydrated, avoid strong afternoon sun, seek shade and wear light-colored clothing. As heat waves intensify, public awareness and medical preparedness are vital to saving lives,” he added.
Banda recorded a maximum temperature of 48.2 °C on 19 May, extreme temperatures persisted on 23 May, with Uttar Pradesh and the northern peninsular region recording temperatures of 43–47 °C. Brahmpuri from Vidarbha topped the charts with 47.1°C. Intense heat eengulfed northern, central and eastern India, with departures rising 5.1°C above normal across Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and coastal Andhra Pradesh. Increased heat also gripped Delhi, Jharkhand, Odisha and Punjab.
