IRADe is working to assess impact of heat stress on livelihoods, productivity and health of vulnerable population in three Indian cities viz. Delhi, Rajkot and Bhubaneswar. The project aims to develop and support implementation of Heat Stress Action Plans for the selected cities. IRADe is working in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Public Health (Gandhinagar and Bhubaneswar), Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) and the municipal corporations of the respective cities. The work done up until now has been recognized by city, state, and national government, including the National Disaster Management Agency. These HSAPs will help prevent heat-related mortality, enable governments to protect poor and vulnerable citizens, improve the preparedness of hospitals/health centres, mitigate economic losses, and make Indian cities climate resilient.
Research activities and Outcomes
Heat Hotspots Delineation
Thermal hotspot maps using LANDSAT 8 imageries, for the three project cities were prepared and wards with temperature above 40 O C were delineated across these cities. The existing Thermal Hotspot maps for Delhi, Rajkot and Bhubaneswar were updated and finalized.
Surveys and Analysis
To capture the impact of heat stress on health, livelihood and productivity of the vulnerable groups, socio-economic surveys were conducted in three cities through household surveys. Detailed research questionnaires were prepared for the same and Thermal Hotspot maps were used to delineate vulnerable hot spots at each city level marking the slums and squatter settlements. Eleven such hot spots were marked across each city where household field surveys were conducted. Using stratified random sampling technique, 3 set of surveys; one primary and two fortnightly (F1 & F2) were conducted in identified vulnerable hotspots of the city.
The study outputs and findings were presented to the City administrators, policy makers and related stakeholders in Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad and Delhi. City level awareness for prevention of heat related illnesses several initiatives have been taken; like preparation and distribution of heat stress prevention and management pamphlets across more than 10, 000 households in Rajkot, sharing the heat stress advisory with URJA (United Residents Joint Action) of Delhi for heat stress management in RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations) and awareness campaigns in over 100 plus Delhi schools. In addition, key short term actions have been recommended to the municipal corporations of the three cities to be implemented on an immediate basis for management for heat related illnesses. Strategies for management of heat stress and capacity building plan was developed for Rajkot city.
City-level Evidence from Rajkot, Delhi & Bhubaneswar