BHUBANESWAR: Even as the rate of mortality due to heat wave conditions has come down relatively, a study has found there is loss of lives when the atmospheric temperature crosses 36.3 degree Celsius.
The study conducted in Bhubaneswar by Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) considering the temperature of March to July for eight years between 2007 and 2014 shows that while 36.3 degree Celsius is the minimum risk point, temperature beyond 40.5 degree Celsius leads to excess risk and vulnerability among the population.
Heat wave in the State had killed 2,042 persons in 1998 following which the Odisha Government implemented its first heat action plan in 1999. Despite the action plan, the State, however, experienced another massive heat wave casualty in 2005 when 236 persons died.
Though growing urbanisation, population and industrialisation are squarely blamed for the heat wave related casualty, the study raised doubt on coping mechanism of humans and indicated that people fell victim to heat wave as they did not properly follow the instructions of the action plan.
While the heat wave measures have been preventive in nature so far, prolonged summer periods, increased temperature and climatic changes require well-designed adaptive measures and resilience in the informal economy sector along with preventive actions.
Director of IIPH-Bhubaneswar Dr Lipika Nanda said the mortality in high temperature areas like Gandhi Nagar is less only because of coping mechanism of its people who follow summer protocols very well. ‘’More research is required to find out the reasons behind the mortality in Odisha,’’ she said.
Surprisingly, though coastal areas experience less rise in temperature compared to western parts, there is an increased incidence in heat-related illness in the former which requires immediate attention.
‘’One of the factors could be the difference in humidity levels across the regions while another may be lower adaptability of people in coastal areas towards sudden increase in heat. Apart from the impact on human life, the heat wave has also affected crop production in terms of both quality and quantity,’’ Dr Nanda said.
Last year, the State implemented a new well-researched heat action plan prepared by Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) in collaboration with IIPH. The plan has been updated recently with the study findings.
Chief General Manager of OSDMA Kamal Lochan Mishra said the National Disaster Management Authority has appreciated the action plan and advised other States to replicate Odisha while tackling heat wave.