Experts explain | Why India struggles to count heatwave deaths as climate change intensifies

Prelims-testable facts

• 01India's heatwave death toll is often underreported due to inadequate reporting and recording mechanisms.
• 02The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines for heatwave management are not strictly followed in many states.
• 03Heatwaves in India are becoming more frequent, severe, and prolonged due to climate change.
• 04The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issues heatwave warnings, but their effectiveness is limited by inadequate dissemination of information to the public.
• 05India's mortality data collection system is primarily based on death certificates issued by hospitals and registration offices.
• 06Many states in India lack a robust system for collecting and analyzing heat-related morbidity and mortality data.
• 07The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that climate change will cause an additional 250,000 deaths per year globally by 2050.

Trap alerts

• Most people think that heatwave deaths are only reported in rural areas, but actually a significant proportion of heatwave-related deaths occur in urban areas as well.
• Most people think that the Indian government has a comprehensive plan to address heatwaves, but actually there is no centralized database or system for tracking heatwave-related deaths and illnesses.