Taking cognisance of the rising threat of extreme heat conditions and related fatalities, the Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre and several ministries in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking strict implementation of national guidelines to manage heatwaves across India.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih asked the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to file their replies within two weeks.
The petition, filed by environment activist Vikrant Tongad, draws attention to over 700 reported deaths due to heatwave and heat stress in 2023 alone, and warns of a worsening crisis if immediate and coordinated action is not taken.
Representing the petitioner, advocate Akash Vashishtha argued that “the intensity, frequency, and geographic spread of heatwaves are increasing drastically due to climate change,” citing reports by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) that now show heatwave conditions expanding beyond the traditional hotspots of northwest and central India to include eastern, southern, and coastal regions.
Despite the existence of the National Guidelines for Preparation of Action Plan – Prevention and Management of Heatwave, 2019, many states and Union Territories have failed to implement heat action plans mandated under the guidelines, the petition contended.
It further invoked the Centre’s statutory obligations under Section 35 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, calling for stronger action from the government to mitigate heatwave impacts and protect public health.
The PIL also called for facilities such as:
- Heat alerts and early warning systems,
- Forecasting mechanisms,
- 24×7 helplines for redressal,
- Compensation to victims of heat-related illnesses,
- Minimum wages and financial support to vulnerable populations during extreme heat periods.
Highlighting scientific findings, the petition referenced an April 2023 meteorological monograph titled “Heat and Cold Waves in India: Processes and Predictability”, jointly published by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, IMD, and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. The study warned of a tenfold increase in heatwave risk during the 21st century, with over 70% of India’s land area projected to be affected, leading to a sharp rise in heat-related mortality, especially in developing regions.
The Supreme Court’s intervention comes at a critical time when several regions in India are already grappling with record-breaking temperatures and increasing vulnerability due to climate change. The matter will be heard further after the ministries file their responses.
