India’s Heat Action Plans (HAPs) – Analysis of Gaps and Challenges

05 Aug 2025 GS 3 Environment

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Context:

India’s summer (March–June) in 2025 started unusually early with:
- An unprecedented February heatwave
- Above-normal March and April temperatures
- Followed by early monsoon and temporary rainfall relief

About Heat Action Plans (HAPs):

Launched: 2013
Primary policy response to extreme heat in India
Aimed at protecting public health, food security, and vulnerable populations like outdoor workers
Over 250 cities and districts in 23 states have devised HAPs
Not mandatory for state or local governments

In 2013, Ahmedabad became the first South Asian city and first city in India to launch a Heat Action Plan. The plan focuses on preventing heat-related deaths and illnesses by establishing early warning systems, building healthcare capacity, and implementing community outreach programs. The HAP utilizes a color-coded alert system (yellow, orange, and red) based on forecasted temperatures, with each level triggering specific actions and interventions.

Key Concerns and Gaps:

1. Lack of Long-Term Vision

Local governments acknowledge heat as a problem
But lack imagination or planning for climate resilience
Focus remains on short-term, seasonal, reactive measures

2. Low-Cost Fixation

Measures like:
- Setting up water stations
- Changing school timings
- Issuing heat advisories
No systemic transformation of urban design or housing

3. Poor Urban Planning & Infrastructure Gaps

Redesign of built environment is rare
Tree plantation and water-body restoration efforts avoid slums and densest areas due to:
- Land ownership issues
- Infrastructure limitations
Green spaces developed in outskirts, not urban heat hotspots

4. Inadequate Investment & Community Involvement

HAPs lack targeted financing
Developed in a top-down manner
Little community participation
Heat is treated mainly as a health issue, ignoring:
- Labour rights
- Housing vulnerability
- Urban planning gaps

Data & Reports:

1. Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)

Over 50% of India’s urban and rural districts at high or very high risk
Risk affects over 1 billion people (~76% of population)

2. Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC) – March 2025

Analysed 9 high-risk cities: Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, Bhopal etc.
150+ heat-related measures (2018–2023)
- Mostly reactive and temporary
- Few focused on systemic healthcare or climate adaptation
- Very few plans for climate-sensitive urban housing

Policy Recommendations (Implied):

Make HAPs mandatory and performance-linked
Focus on climate-sensitive infrastructure, not just advisories
Integrate labour, housing, and urban equity into heat policy
Improve data collection, public participation, and funding

Conclusion:

Despite early warnings and increasing heat-related risks, India’s HAPs remain underfunded, piecemeal, and reactive. A transformation toward inclusive, resilient urban planning is urgently required.

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