Latest news with #UttarPradeshStateDisasterManagementAuthority
Time of India
27-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Mini-forests to bring down urban heat island effect in key UP cities
Lucknow: Taking note of the increasing urban heat island effect in key cities of Uttar Pradesh, budgetary provisions will be made for the first time to create mini forests to introduce additional green cover in urban centres. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The urban heat island effect refers to the phenomenon where higher temperature is experience in urban areas compared to rural surroundings. In the rollout of Upvan Scheme, the 17 municipal corporations have been given a free hand to infuse up to Rs 3 crore to develop green zones over a 2,000 sq mt area under their jurisdiction. For the 2025-26 financial year, a corpus of Rs 70 crore has been created to dole out funds to urban local bodies. The money will be utilised to address the severe impact of urban heat in areas reeling under extreme weather conditions. "With growing urbanisation, mitigating the risk in densely populated areas has become essential. Having a crucial role to play, urban planning will have to be done in a manner to create additional green space and cooling strategies to promote sustainable development in urban areas," said principal secretary, urban development, Amrit Abhijat. In its research report presented to the state govt in July 2024, the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority urged the authorities to develop preventive measures to bring down heat events within the urban part of the state after carrying out district wise analysis. Stating that the rapid urban growth in cities such as Lucknow, Kanpur, and Prayagraj has given rise to urban heat islands, the study emphasises the need to prioritise green spaces, sustainable infrastructure, and climate-smart urban planning. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A dense urban forest planting methodology, introducing Miyawaki forests, could be the first step for the key civic bodies to lower surface temperatures. Officials said that the studies conducted by independent research scholars and educational institutes over cities in the state were going to be analysed, and the help of experts would be taken to conduct GIS (geographical information system) based studies and collate remotely sensed thermal data to zero in on locations which require intervention urgently.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
City's Heat Action Plan: Whitewashing rooftops to reduce heat, raising awareness
Prayagraj: To combat the intensifying heatwave, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation is speeding up its "Heat Action Plan" to apply white paint or lime on rooftops in slum areas, which is expected to reduce indoor temperatures by 3-4 degrees Celsius. Additionally, Public Address Systems will broadcast radio jingles and video messages at major intersections to educate the public about heatwave safety measures. An 18-member committee, led by municipal commissioner Seelam Sai Teja, has been formed to oversee the implementation, comprising representatives from various departments, including health, education and emergency services, as well as NGOs and other stakeholders. A workshop at the Smart City auditorium, led by additional municipal commissioner Deependra Yadav, emphasised the collaborative efforts between the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UPSDMA), the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) Gandhinagar, and the municipal corporation. Experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Atul Kumar Mishra and Akash Mishra, noted that Prayagraj has experienced record-breaking temperatures in recent years, including a peak of 45.4 degrees Celsius in May 2025 and a scorching 48.8 degrees Celsius last year. Speaking at the workshop, Kaniz Fatima, project director (drought management), UPSDMA, emphasised that the state govt is actively executing the state heat action plan across all districts. The efforts have also been lauded by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Govt of India, which recommended the expansion of such plans to major cities like Jhansi, Agra, Prayagraj and Lucknow. PMC authorities have decided to implement a comprehensive action plan to combat the rising threat of heatwaves in the city. Key components of the plan include broadcasting audio messages through public address systems to raise awareness about heatwave precautions. In slum areas, rooftops will be whitewashed to reduce indoor temperatures. Additionally, the civic body will set up drinking water stations and shaded rest areas in public locations. The plan also emphasises the promotion of green belts and ensuring easy access to drinking water and Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to help residents stay safe during extreme heat conditions. "We have decided to undertake several steps to protect the denizens from the heatwave, especially those living in the slums and with limited resources to protect themselves from the scorching heat," said Teja. Painting rooftops with a mixture of lime (chuna) and fevicol. Lime, known for its high solar reflectance, bounces off the sun's harsh rays, keeping roof surfaces cooler.
