IMD Predicts Above-Normal Temperatures Across India; States Instructed to Set Up Heat Stroke Rooms and Revise Work Hours
As India braces for an intense summer season, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has conducted a high-level review with state disaster management agencies to assess preparedness and issue strategic guidelines for tackling the anticipated heatwave. With forecasts indicating higher-than-average temperatures across much of the country, authorities are ramping up efforts to minimize health risks and infrastructure strain.
IMD Predicts Record Heat Levels in 2025
In an online meeting hosted from NDMA headquarters, attended by key officials including Disaster Management & Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman and scientists from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), it was revealed that March, April, and May are expected to see temperatures above seasonal norms.
IMD scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar confirmed that both maximum and minimum temperatures will likely exceed normal levels this year, potentially surpassing last year’s heat levels. The heat season has officially been declared, and increased frequency of heatwave days is also expected, especially in northern, central, and western regions of the country.
State-Level Action Plans and Work Hour Adjustments
In response, NDMA officials have advised state governments to develop and implement Heatwave Action Plans. Key recommendations include:
- Rescheduling school hours to avoid peak heat times
- Adjusting working hours for laborers, especially under the MNREGA scheme
- Ensuring cooling zones and shaded rest areas at worksites
These measures aim to protect vulnerable populations, including school children, daily wage workers, and outdoor laborers, from the adverse effects of prolonged heat exposure.
Hospitals to Create Dedicated Heat Stroke Rooms
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has also issued a nationwide advisory detailing an action plan for healthcare preparedness. According to Dr. Akash Srivastava, Additional Director at NCDC, the advisory includes:
- Establishing heat stroke rooms in hospitals
- Equipping ambulances with cooling kits for heatstroke patients
- Specialized training for doctors to handle heat-related illnesses
- Ensuring uninterrupted power supply and availability of cooling appliances at all health centers
Additionally, states have been directed to provide clean drinking water at public places, implement cool roofing solutions under pilot projects, and appoint a Heat Nodal Officer to oversee mitigation efforts.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
