New Delhi, April 21 (HS): In light of the increasing heat and heatwave warnings in the capital, the Delhi government launched the Heat Action Plan 2025 on Monday, outlining comprehensive measures for public health safety. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta released this plan at the Delhi Secretariat on Monday. On this occasion, Public Works Department Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh Verma and Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh were present.
The Chief Minister stated that this is a decisive step to keep the residents of Delhi safe from the impact of heat. All hospitals have been instructed to be prepared for emergency situations 24/7 and to arrange special treatment and care for the elderly and children. The Delhi government’s priority is the safety of every citizen and providing them with good health services. Under this plan, 3,000 digital water ATMs will be installed in Delhi, and 1,800 disaster friends will be deployed. Special wards will be created in hospitals for heat stroke patients.
The action plan states that the Education Department should display posters on the prevention of heat-related illnesses and distribute pamphlets. Classes should not be held in the open. School teachers should be trained on what to do and what not to do for heat prevention and activities that they can disseminate in classrooms.
The Health Department should ensure the storage of ORS in hospitals and dispensaries and arrange for wards and beds in hospitals. Given the influx of patients during heat waves, it is necessary to deploy additional staff and display suggestions for preventing heat-related illnesses and ways to protect against heat around hospitals and dispensaries. Similarly, patients must be provided with a better emergency assistance system/ambulances with adequate equipment to access healthcare facilities.
The action plan includes additional precautionary measures. For instance, broadcasting SMS alerts to local residents during heat warnings, creating displays on ambulances to raise public awareness during major local events, and identifying hotspots in the city, among other initiatives.
Under this plan, the Delhi Water Board will ensure proper arrangements for drinking water at various public places, including residential, commercial, and industrial areas. The Delhi Water Board will make provisions for adequate water storage. Power companies will ensure an uninterrupted power supply in Delhi. All damaged transformers will be replaced and upgraded, and loose wires will be addressed. Special attention will be given to the power supply in hospitals, dispensaries, and clinics. There has been an emphasis on raising awareness to operate air conditioning at 25 degrees Celsius.
The Delhi Fire Service will check the preparedness of vehicles and firefighting equipment to face any emergency situation. Training programs and workshops will be conducted with community groups, self-help groups, ward-level committees, NGOs, RWAs, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and ward committees in municipalities.
The Forest Department, DDA, MCD, NDMC, PWD, Education Department, NTPC, Higher Education, DSIIDC, DJB, and BSES will promote plantation activities in the capital. The Horticulture and Agriculture Department will provide plants to these agencies.
The Labor Department will organize training for employers, contract workers, and laborers. The shifts of external workers will be changed, and schedules will be adjusted during peak hours. Emergency kits (ice packs, ORS, etc.) will be prepared for construction workers. Training on health impacts of extreme heat and appropriate guidelines for safeguarding people during high temperatures will be issued.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
