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28 May 2026Environment & Ecology3 questions

India Heatwave 2026 — IMD Early Warning System and Heat Action Plans

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Article summary

India experienced one of its most severe pre-monsoon heat waves in May 2026, with temperatures exceeding 47°C across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh — 4–6°C above normal for the period. The India Meteorological Department issued red alerts across 8 states using its colour-coded Heat Wave Warning System, while the National Disaster Management Authority activated State Heat Action Plans in 15 states. The 2026 event follows a pattern of intensifying and earlier-onset heat waves since 2015, consistent with IPCC projections of increased extreme heat frequency under a 1.5°C warming scenario.

What this tests

recallTests whether you read the article and retained key facts.
1Q
applicationTests whether you can apply the concept to a new scenario.
1Q
analysisTests whether you can reason across multiple related facts.
1Q

Sample questions — answers revealed after test

Environment & EcologyRecallEasy

Q1. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which of the following correctly states the threshold conditions for declaring a 'severe heat wave' over plains?

AMaximum temperature ≥ 40°C AND departure from normal ≥ 6.5°C, OR absolute temperature ≥ 45°C
BMaximum temperature ≥ 40°C AND departure from normal ≥ 4.5°C for two consecutive days
CMaximum temperature ≥ 45°C AND departure from normal ≥ 4.5°C, sustained for at least 48 hours
DMaximum temperature ≥ 40°C AND departure from normal ≥ 5.5°C, OR absolute temperature ≥ 44°C
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Environment & EcologyApplicationMedium

Q2. A district disaster management officer is reviewing Heat Action Plan (HAP) compliance in her state. She notes that the state HAP document was submitted to NDMA and lists cooling centres, water distribution protocols, and ASHA-led outreach. However, the cooling centres have never been physically activated, health surveillance data is not being collected in real time, and oral rehydration supplies have not been pre-positioned. Which of the following observations best characterises the governance problem this scenario illustrates?

AThe state has violated a binding legal obligation under the NDMA Act, 2005, since NDMA's heat wave guidelines mandate operational readiness as a statutory requirement.
BThe scenario illustrates the last-mile implementation gap — state-level plans exist on paper but operationalisation of cooling centres, real-time surveillance, and pre-positioned supplies remains incomplete, a pattern seen in fewer than 8 of the 15 states with formal HAPs.
CThe failure is primarily attributable to insufficient funding under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), since HAP operationalisation is entirely dependent on central financial transfers.
DThe situation is legally non-actionable because heat waves are classified as a slow-onset disaster and therefore fall outside the operational mandate of district disaster management authorities.
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Environment & EcologyAnalysisHard

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding heat waves and heat governance in India: 1. Heat waves kill more people annually in India than floods or cyclones, yet no equivalent of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rapid-deployment model exists for heat mortality response. 2. Ahmedabad developed South Asia's first city-level Heat Action Plan in 2013, following a 2010 heat wave that caused over 1,300 deaths in the city. 3. Official heat mortality figures in India are considered accurate representations of actual death tolls because IMD's four-colour warning system triggers mandatory hospital reporting once an orange alert is issued. 4. The urban heat island effect can add 2–5°C to ambient temperatures in cities relative to surrounding rural areas, partly because waste heat from air conditioners contributes to the same warming that increases AC demand. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A1 and 2 only
B1, 2 and 4 only
C2, 3 and 4 only
D1, 3 and 4 only
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