Tue Apr 15 19:06:37 UTC 2025: ## Telangana Declares Heatwaves as State-Specific Disaster, Increases Relief Funds
**Hyderabad, April 16, 2025** – Following Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Telangana has officially classified heatwaves as a state-specific disaster, significantly increasing ex-gratia payments to victims’ families from ₹50,000 to ₹4 lakh. This decision is driven by the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) prediction of rising average temperatures and increased heatwave frequency across all climate scenarios, and a recognition of underreporting of heatwave-related deaths.
The move, announced by Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar, aims to address two major concerns: the underreporting of heatwave deaths due to their previous non-classification as disasters, and the inadequacy of previous compensation. Telangana has experienced a sharp increase in high-temperature days, with districts like Jagtial recording nearly 100 heatwave days between 2014 and 2023.
The government has also implemented a district-specific heat action plan as a preventative measure. This initiative comes in the wake of a 2024 study highlighting the significant public health risk posed even by single days of extreme heat. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals a substantial number of heatstroke deaths over the past two decades, further emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The IMD reported 459 heatwave deaths in 2024 alone, a year that was recorded as the hottest on record.
The increased ex-gratia payment aligns with the 14th Finance Commission’s recommendations, allowing states to allocate up to 10% of their State Disaster Response Fund for immediate relief in state-specific disasters. The IMD’s warning, coupled with the alarming rise in heatwave-related deaths, underscores the proactive measures undertaken by the Telangana government to address this growing threat.
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