New Delhi

National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday directed 21 states and Delhi to take preventive steps to safeguard vulnerable populations from worsening heatwaves.

The commission said rising frequency, duration and intensity of heatwaves are having a disproportionate impact on marginalised communities, economically weaker sections, outdoor workers and homeless people who often lack shelter and resources.

It added that the elderly, children, infants and newborns are particularly at risk from extreme heat. Heatwaves can also damage livelihoods and increase the chances of fire accidents.

The states asked to take advance action are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

The NHRC wrote to the chief secretaries of these states and Delhi, urging integrated and inclusive planning, along with proper implementation of relief measures under existing guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority.

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Citing National Crime Records Bureau data, the commission said around 3,712 people died due to heat or sunstroke in India between 2019 and 2023. It also sought consolidated action-taken reports from districts through state and UT administrations.