Heatwaves and Lightning Included as Notified Natural Calamities:
The Union Government has included heatwaves and lightning in the list of notified natural calamities under the operational guidelines of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the 2026–31 award period, enabling states to provide relief and assistance to affected people.
- The decision follows the recommendation of the 16th Finance Commission (2026–31), citing the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to climate change.
- States can now utilise SDRF funds to provide relief to people affected by heatwaves and lightning.
- NDRF assistance may supplement state resources in accordance with the applicable guidelines.
- Heat-wave mitigation projects are also eligible under the Disaster Mitigation Funds.
- The notified list has expanded from 12 to 14 categories, with heatwaves and lightning added to cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, and frost and cold wave.
- The move strengthens India’s disaster risk financing framework by aligning disaster management policies with the growing impacts of climate change.
- Heat waves are prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures compared to the normal climate of a region, occurring in India mainly from March to June (occasionally extending into July), with May being the peak month.
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) declares a heat wave based on region-specific temperature thresholds.
