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Time of India
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Launched In April, Summer Plan Inactive In Peak Heat
New Delhi: The Delhi Heat Action Plan 2025 was released in April with much fanfare and featured measures like placing 3,000 water coolers in public spaces, altering timings of construction sites to avoid peak heat between noon and 4pm and sending cautionary SMS alerts to citizens. But even as the mercury has soared, the steps meant to minimise the impact on people are yet to be implemented. Some parts of the city have recorded three consecutive heatwave days. India Meteorological Department has issued a 'red alert' for heatwave conditions in many places for Thursday. There's a 'yellow' alert for Friday too. In April, several areas similarly recorded 3-5 heatwave days. After the heat action plan was launched, against the announcement that 3,000 water coolers would be placed across the city and eco-friendly bus stop shelters with green roofs would be established, the water coolers have been placed at just around 20 sites and the eco-friendly bus stop shelters aren't visible. Availability of shade/shelters, drinking water, ORS packets, etc., at bus and auto stands and construction sites has been partly achieved. The plan to reschedule the working hours of outdoor workers to avoid peak heat hasn't been put into practice yet. Also the use of school premises as daytime shelters to help the outdoor workers and the homeless avoid heat is yet to be implemented. Also unmet are the measures announced to protect stray animals, cattle and poultry birds from the blazing sun. However, experts said sheds and drinking water for cattle and poultry in villages and at important junctions are still to be operationalised. The heat action plan had also proposed establishing cooling facilities in areas with high population density, particularly near pavements and informal settlements. Govt officials claimed to have circulated the heat action plan, which lists roles and responsibilities of agencies and individuals, to all departments involved. "Delhi Disaster Management Authority disseminated weather forecasts and advisories regularly and also communicated heat advisories to hawkers' associations, vendors and gig workers," said one official. "Apart from issuing two circulars on how to prevent heat-related illnesses, the education department conducted training for teachers from govt and govt-aided schools. Delhi Fire Service procured 33 additional water bowsers, each of capacity 12,000 litres, to use during the summer, while DUSIB directed all shelter management agencies to ensure drinking water, coolers and fans in all shelters. All hospitals reported adequate quantities of essential medicines." The official added that water machines had been installed in Delhi Secretariat and at Nehru Place and five others would be placed soon. "A study on five prototypes of cool roof solutions in three slum settlements is under way. Five parks, among them Nehru Park, Lodhi Garden and Sanjay Van, have been designated to absorb more carbon dioxide," the official added. Avinash Chanchal, deputy programme director, Greenpeace South Asia, said that though the people of Delhi were once again facing a brutal summer, govt's response hadn't changed much. "Govt made many promises, but action on the ground remains invisible. It was encouraging to see Delhi govt announce a heat action plan in April, but that plan is only meaningful if it's implemented," said Chanchal. "The promise of 3,000 water ATMs has not materialised, hospitals are unprepared and communities, especially outdoor workers and other vulnerable populations, have been left to cope on their own. No voice or text alerts have been issued to warn the public about heatwaves." Chanchal added that the current plan lacked a dedicated budget and legal binding. "Delhi govt must recognise heat as a state disaster, just as a few other states have done, and roll out a robust, well-funded and accountable plan without delay," he said. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said the 2025 heat action plan outlined several short-term and long-term energy efficiency and cooling strategies. "But these require a time-bound implementation plan with clear milestones and targets for each municipal ward for it to be monitorable. Delhi requires much stronger on-ground preparedness and preventive measures to reduce health risks during heat episodes like the one the city is experiencing right now," she said. She added, "The roadmap needs to detail the infrastructure-level interventions to achieve cooler buildings, expanded forests/green areas and water bodies, shading of public spaces and commuting corridors, reduction in waste heat from combustion sources, and thermal comfort for all, especially different categories of low-income groups. Heat management requires actionable targets with a strong monitoring and compliance strategy. "
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
PWD forms teams for prompt clearance of uprooted trees in Delhi
The Public Works Department has formed 11 quick response teams (QRTs) under the Delhi Disaster Management Authority to ensure prompt and effective response to emergencies arising due to fallen and uprooted trees. In May, rain and thunderstorms wreaked havoc across Delhi-NCR — the intense storms also killed over 10 people across Delhi-NCR, while around 200 trees were uprooted. As per officials, the QRTs will have to coordinate with the department concerned in a swift and coordinated manner and remove these trees immediately. 'During the monsoon and heavy winds, such incidents take place. When trees get uprooted, they fall on electrical poles and wires, which also sometimes leads to mishaps… To avoid such incidents, these teams will be on alert and will take action during such emergencies,' said officials. Each team will have three engineers who will work in three shifts from 6 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 10 pm and 10 pm to 6 am. The teams will be in place till September 15. On why trees fall during storms, experts have said that apart from the weather, issues ranging from root damage, poor or irregular pruning, widespread concretisation around trunks, termite attacks, unscientific cabling, and a lack of updated data on tree health have all added to the problem. For context, Delhi has 147 sq km of tree cover that falls outside forest areas. This is around 9.8% of Delhi's geographical area as per the India State of Forest Report (IFRS) 2023.
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Over 500 schools take part in mock drills across Delhi: ‘For many children, it felt like a game of hide and seek'
When the siren blared across the corridors of Amity International School in Saket on Wednesday morning, nearly 2,000 students responded instantly, taking cover under desks with bags over their heads — their voices hushed and hearts racing. Amity International School was one of the 500 schools in Delhi where the mock drill was undertaken in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The Ministry of Home Affairs earlier this week directed states and union territories to hold mock drills and ensure readiness to tackle tense situations amid India-Pakistan tensions. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) coordinated the implementation across the city schools on Wednesday. By 7.40 am, the students at Amity gathered for a special assembly where Principal Divya Bhatia briefed them. Around 200 teachers conducted checks at every floor of the four-storey building, clearing out washrooms and staff rooms, following a well-rehearsed routine. 'There is an SOP we follow — detailed, floor-wise instructions were given by the Principal,' said Sumedh, a teacher. Instruction manual handouts were also given to every student in the morning assembly. Despite the seriousness of the drill, playful confusion was seen among younger students. 'For some of them, it felt like a game of hide and seek…but a few others got scared, so they were taken care of by their class teachers,' Sumedh added. After the evacuation, a Class 5 student was teary-eyed, overwhelmed, and unsure where to go. But senior students, especially a hundred-member team of the Students Council, were alert. Vandita Sharma, a Class 11 student and Additional General Secretary of the Student Council, stepped in to comfort him. 'He was just scared and confused,' she later said, adding, 'We've been through drills before, but for them, it's all still new. Helping them feel safe is part of our responsibility, too. The best thing is that the drills have prepared us for the future.' 'In my lifetime… I have not seen such drills for war preparedness,' said Sumedh. The operation was executed with clarity and precision, guided by comprehensive instructions laid out by the Principal, the school authorities said on Wednesday. 'The activity reinforced a culture of alertness, resilience, and coordinated response among all students and staff,' said Principal Bhatia. Another principal of a prominent private school said that mock drills were conducted 'successfully' in the school and training provided to the staff as well for emergency preparedness. The training could help for natural disasters like fire and earthquakes, as well, the principal added.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Delhi unveils its first heat action plan
As the capital braces for a scorching summer, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Monday unveiled a sweeping 150-page Heat Action Plan 2025 — a first-of-its-kind blueprint to tackle intensifying heatwaves with the help of cooling shelters, heatwave wards in hospitals, and the installation of 3,000 water coolers across the city. Framed by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, in line with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, the plan aims to make the city heat-resilient through a coordinated, citizen-centric approach. The launch event at the Delhi Secretariat was attended by cabinet ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh and Pankaj Singh, chief secretary Naresh Kumar, and senior officials. The initiative comes as temperatures in Delhi continue to climb. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast maximum temperatures to touch 40–42°C by Wednesday, with minimums hovering around 24–26°C. CM Gupta emphasised that Delhi has in recent years seen temperatures approach 50°C — posing a serious threat to public health. 'This plan is not just a scheme — it is a movement. We are preparing not just with intent, but with action,' she said. Key measures Under the plan, 1,000 water coolers will be installed along roads, 1,000 in government buildings, and another 1,000 in locations lacking water access, particularly for homeless individuals. The installation will be carried out through public-private and CSR partnerships. Bus stops will be redesigned to shield waiting passengers from the sun. Structures providing shade will be constructed along footpaths, and public spaces like bus terminals and railway stations will be equipped with cold water dispensers and shaded waiting areas. Hospitals across Delhi are preparing special heatwave wards fitted with cooling systems, ORS, and trained staff. In low-income neighbourhoods and slums, assistance centres, water stations, and shaded areas are being set up. 'Government and private buildings will adopt cool roof and green roof technologies. Over 1.4 million students in more than 5,500 schools across Delhi will be trained on heatwave preparedness. Heatwave wards are being developed in hospitals, and cold water facilities are being ensured at public places. This is not merely a government scheme, but a people's movement requiring citizen participation,' CM Gupta said at the event. Schools and community engagement A major highlight of the plan is its focus on heatwave preparedness in schools. Over 1.4 million students in 5,500 government and private schools will be trained in disaster management and heat protection. A 'water bell' initiative will be introduced, encouraging children to stay hydrated during school hours. The government has also trained 1,800 'Aapda Mitras' — disaster response volunteers — to assist in implementing the plan across districts. At the launch, CM Gupta called them 'the living symbol of vigilance and service spirit', and said they would act as 'frontline warriors' of the initiative. Technology and innovation Delhi has introduced 'cool roof technology' at ISBTs in Anand Vihar and Kashmere Gate, where rooftops are being painted white to reflect heat and reduce indoor temperatures. A digital cold water dispenser was inaugurated at the Secretariat, displaying real-time water quality data and heatwave-related information. The CM noted that advanced heatwave alerts will be disseminated regularly and that departments are working in close coordination to ensure timely action. A plan for animals too In a compassionate touch, the plan also includes provisions for animals and birds. 'Our culture teaches us compassion for all living beings — birds, cows, stray animals. We will ensure they have access to drinking water, shade, and protection from the heat,' Gupta said. The blueprint draws on global best practices, district-level vulnerability mapping, and consultations with partners such as UNEP and UNICEF. Officials say the multi-departmental strategy marks a decisive step towards preparing Delhi for the growing threat of extreme weather. 'This is not just a battle against the heat,' said CM Gupta, 'it is a commitment to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and every drop of water for every citizen.'
