By AIDMI, India

Maharashtra is facing some of India’s most severe and recurring heatwaves. With temperatures rising beyond historical levels, accelerated coordinated public action between the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India, and the Government of Maharashtra (GoM) has become critical to safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and public health. Together, NDMA–GoM initiatives are creating a robust framework for anticipating, managing, and reducing the growing impacts of extreme heat across the state.

At the national level, NDMA’s Guidelines for Heat Wave Management (2019) remain the cornerstone of preparedness. These guidelines strengthen early warning systems, public communication, and emergency health protocols—especially for outdoor and informal workers. NDMA’s collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) ensures Maharashtra receives five-day forecasts, district-level alerts, and colour-coded bulletins, enabling swift activation of Heat Action Plans (HAPs). Regular NDMA training sessions further build capacity among state and district officers in heat illness management and coordinated emergency response.

Under NDMA guidance, Maharashtra’s State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) has converted national directives into action through the Maharashtra State Cooling Action Roadmap (2024–2025). This roadmap expands the use of cool roofs, boosts urban green cover, and integrates heat resilience into housing, education, and public health infrastructure. More than 20 districts—including Mumbai, Nagpur, Beed, Jalgaon, and Chandrapur—now implement localised HAPs with hydration stations, shade shelters, and mobile health units. More cities and districts are joining.

The state’s “Heat Ready Communities” campaign spreads awareness in Marathi through schools and panchayats, while public cooling zones, tree-based microparks, and Miyawaki forests enhance nature-based protection.

Through the synergy, that is collaborative federalism, between NDMA’s national leadership and Maharashtra’s sub-national innovation, the state is advancing toward a vision of being heat-ready, heat-resilient, and heat-smart. This coordinated effort offers a model for India’s response to the rising threat of extreme heat not only to other states of India but also to India’s neighbours.