One of the world’s deadliest heat waves devastated
India in May 2015, killing more than 2,300 people.
As climate change increases the frequency and
severity of heat waves and the associated health
risks, vulnerable, poor communities are often the
hardest hit. In the face of these climate-fueled
weather threats, early warning systems and preparedness
plans can be adopted to protect health and
lives within communities and increase resilience to
rising temperatures.
Led by the city of Ahmedabad, Natural Resources
Defense Council (NRDC), Public Health Foundation
of India (PHFI)-Indian Institute of Public Health,
Gandhinagar (IIPH-G), and a coalition of partners
successfully implemented the fi rst-ever early warning system and interagency disaster risk reduction plan for extreme
heat in South Asia in 2013. Through raising awareness, increasing health care capacity, and issuing early heat alerts, the
pioneering Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan increases preparedness and resilience to extreme heat
