Rising risk of heat waves in India

This publication highlights not only the incidences and impacts of heat waves in Asia but also all the scientific and governance innovations designed to mitigate their damage.

While instances of heat waves are on the rise across the world, Asia in particular seems to be reeling under an intense heat wave. According to the meteorologist Etienne Kapikian, at least seven Asian countries have already set monthly high temperature records at the end of March 2018. All this scientific and empirical evidence points to the inconvenient truth that the incidence and intensity of heat waves will increase across Asian countries in the coming years. Therefore, there is a need to address this rising risk or mitigate its adverse impacts.

This issue of Southasiadisasters.net takes stock of the best practices in governance systems (heat wave action plans), early warning and health preparedness among others to mitigate the adverse impacts of heat waves in Asia. This issue's contents include: (i) Heat Waves and Street Vendors: What Cities Can Do; (ii) Top Three Achievements of India to become "Weather Ready and Climate Smart"; (iii) Public Health Impact of Heat Waves in Indian Cities; (iv) Heat Wave Action Planning in Cities: A View from Gujarat; (v) Research Issues on Heat Waves in India; (vi) Heat Wave As A New Norm in Vietnam; (vii) Heating Island Paradise: Philippine Temperature Rises; (viii) Heat Wave Action Plan – Ahmedabad; (ix) Role and Results of National Disaster Management Authority in Heat Wave Planning in India; (x) Impact of Heat Wave on Vulnerable Citizens in Indian Cities; (xi) Impact of Heat Waves on Citizens; (xii) India Heading for Worst Summer and Heat Wave Across Half the Country.