New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked authorities to take necessary measures and provide appropriate relief to protect people affected by heatwaves across India.
The commission noted that extreme summer heat disproportionately impacts vulnerable groups, including marginalised communities, economically weaker sections, outdoor workers and the homeless. It also flagged health risks for the elderly and children, along with livelihood losses and increased hazards such as fires.
In a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all states and the Delhi Union Territory, the NHRC referred to National Crime Records Bureau data stating that 3,712 people died due to heat-related causes between 2019 and 2023. It urged immediate action in line with National Disaster Management Authority guidelines or existing standard operating procedures to reduce harm and prevent fatalities.
The NHRC also asked state governments to submit reports from their district administrations detailing the overall steps taken to mitigate heatwave impacts. The directions apply to Tamil Nadu and several other states, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, temperatures crossed 38°C (100°F) in 13 locations including Chennai as of Tuesday evening, according to the Meteorological Department. Trichy recorded the highest at 40.5°C, followed by Chennai (Meenambakkam) and cities such as Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Erode, Karur, Madurai, Namakkal, Salem, Thanjavur, Tirupathur, Tiruttani and Vellore.
