The Rajasthan High Court also urged the state government to provide compensation to the families of those who lost their lives due to heat wave conditions and slammed the government for not recognizing heatwaves and cold waves as national disasters. The order was issued in a hearing in which the court suo motu considered matters pertaining to climate change and environmental protection.
Extreme weather events have become more common and are a grave threat to public health and safety, a bench headed by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand said. The court highlighted that governments need to take a proactive approach to safeguarding vulnerable populations against the increasing effects of climate-related catastrophes.
The Rajasthan High Court directed the Chief Secretary in Rajasthan to form inter-departmental committees for the effective implementation of the Heat Action Plan framed in the Rajasthan Climate Change Project. In the event of an extreme heat period, the committees are to ensure action is taken immediately and at the appropriate time.
The court had directed among other things that the roads with more human traffic should be watered regularly, establishment of cool spaces and shaded areas at all major traffic intersections, and enhancement of medical infrastructure in the health centres for handling heatwave emergencies. Authorities also were instructed to provide advisories for outdoor workers, ensuring they receive adequate rest breaks from 12 to 3 p.m., when temperatures are highest.
Climate change is not a distant problem anymore, it is a real problem today, and urgent administrative action is needed based on the court’s remarks. The decision will impact the policies for disaster management and climate resilience in the future, particularly with regards to India’s growing exposure to heatwaves in the summer season.