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Heat wave action plan for Odisha, 2017

Heat Waves in Odisha in the year 1998 killed 2042 people. In the year 1999, the state implemented first HAP in the state. Despite having a HAP in place the state experienced another massive Heat Wave casualty in the year 2005 by losing 236 lives. There could have been many possible reasons, which are going to be exacerbated in coming years with growing urbanization, population and industrialization. The problem is further going to be magnified with ongoing climate change. According to estimates, the scenario is likely to become aggravated in coming years, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicts heat related fatalities will double in less than 20 years. This demands the policy makers and researchers to revisit and strengthen the current HAP. The preliminary review finds that, till date mostly the Heat Wave measures have been preventive in nature. However, prolonged summer periods, increased temperature and climatic changes require designing adaptive measures and building resilience in the informal economy sector (vulnerability assessment and alternate livelihood generation of the vulnerable population) along with the preventive actions. Under these circumstances, adaptation is a key response strategy to minimize potential deaths and other adverse health effects of Heat Waves.

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