In a landmark step toward climate resilience Telangana has officially declared heatwave and sunstroke as ‘State-Specific Disasters’ making it possibly the first Indian state to do so. The announcement includes a significant ₹4 lakh ex gratia for families of victims who lose their lives due to extreme heat.
This decision marks a shift from the earlier Apathbandhu scheme, which provided ₹50,000 compensation. The move comes in response to the growing but often under-reported impact of heatwaves on vulnerable populations especially the elderly, children, and women.
According to the latest Government Order, 28 of Telangana’s 33 districts have already endured over 15 days of intense heatwave conditions this year. The state is now rolling out district-specific heatwave action plans, increasing access to Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), and issuing public safety advisories as temperatures continue to climb.
With the India Meteorological Department forecasting a particularly harsh summer, Telangana’s proactive policy could serve as a model for other states looking to tackle the rising threat of extreme weather events linked to climate change.