Heat plans must be year-round, say experts

• Experts urge shifting from seasonal to year-round heat action plans
• Urban heat islands and climate change cause year-round thermal stress
• Cities must integrate green infra and building codes to protect workers

When we think of heatwaves in India, we picture the blistering peak summer months. But experts now warn this seasonal view is dangerously outdated. They argue that heat is a year-round threat that requires a continuous, not just seasonal, response.

What Are Heat Action Plans?

First introduced in Ahmedabad in 2013, Heat Action Plans (HAPs) are India's main policy tool for dealing with extreme heat. These plans are designed to protect people by creating early warning systems for upcoming heatwaves, setting up public cooling centres, distributing water, and raising public awareness. Primarily, they are emergency response guides, activated when temperatures are forecast to hit dangerous levels, typically between March and June. More than 23 states have now developed or are developing HAPs, which are credited with saving thousands of lives.

The Danger of a Summer-Only Focus

The problem, experts say, is that heat's impact doesn't neatly fit into a few summer months. Climate change has made heatwaves more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting. Unseasonal heat can strike as early as February, as seen in recent years, catching agricultural cycles and populations off guard. These 'shoulder seasons' are particularly dangerous because public warnings are less common and people's bodies aren't acclimatised. A HAP that is only dusted off in April is of little use when dangerous heat arrives in February, impacting crop yields and exposing outdoor workers to risk.

The Year-Round Threat of Urban Heat

In India's rapidly growing cities, the threat is chronic. The 'urban heat island' effect, where concrete and asphalt absorb and re-radiate heat, makes cities significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas, especially at night. This retained heat means urban areas don't cool down properly, preventing people from recovering from daytime heat stress and increasing the risk of heat-related illness and mortality. This phenomenon isn't limited to summer; it creates a baseline of elevated temperature year-round, adding a constant layer of thermal stress on residents. This elevated heat also worsens air quality by trapping pollutants and accelerating the formation of ground-level ozone.

Beyond Emergency Response: Building Long-Term Resilience

This is why experts are calling for a shift from a seasonal, emergency-based approach to a year-round, resilience-focused strategy. A year-round plan would move beyond just distributing water and opening cooling centres. It would integrate long-term measures into city planning. This includes investing in green infrastructure like parks and urban forests, promoting cool roofs and cool pavements that reflect sunlight, restoring water bodies, and updating building codes to require better ventilation and insulation. These measures help lower ambient temperatures permanently, reducing the need for energy-intensive air conditioning and making cities more livable for everyone.

Protecting the Most Vulnerable, All Year Long

A continuous approach is also a matter of equity. Heat disproportionately affects the most vulnerable: outdoor labourers, street vendors, residents of informal settlements, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. For these groups, heat is a constant occupational and health hazard, not just a summer inconvenience. Roughly three-quarters of India's workforce is exposed to heat. A year-round HAP would focus on structural changes that protect these communities continuously, such as providing shaded rest areas for workers and improving housing in low-income neighbourhoods. This acknowledges that heat is not just a health issue, but one that intersects with labour rights, housing, and urban planning.