Modi reviews preparedness for upcoming heatwave season

NEW DELHI: As the summer season is just around the corner and hot weather conditions are likely to sweep across the country, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review heatwave and monsoon preparations by the local body authorities, medical professionals and disaster response teams.

Modi advised the states and the union territories to prepare action plans to deal with persisting high temperatures and directed the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to prepare daily weather forecasts in a manner to understand its predictions and is easier to interpret and disseminate. Radio stations and television channels are among the other media outlets instructed to spend a few minutes daily to explain the weather forecast so that citizens can take necessary precautions.

He also highlighted the need for detailed fire audits of all hospitals and said mock fire drills to be conducted by firefighters in all the hospitals. He also pointed out the need for preparations and coordinated efforts to deal with forest fires.

Instructions were given to the Food Corporation of India to ensure optimal storage of grains and that separate awareness material should be provided for different stakeholders on dealing with warmer than usual weather. The center has also set up a panel to monitor the impact of the rise in temperature on the wheat crop.

India reported the warmest February this year since 1877 and the country could experience extreme weather conditions in April and May, as reported by IMD.

He suggested that separate awareness material be prepared for common citizens, medical professionals, municipal and panchayat authorities and that schools and education institutions should sensitize children on dealing with extreme weather conditions. He said the protocols and dos and don’ts should be prepared in accessible formats and various other modes of publicity.