Study report on Diverse Climatic Zones on Anticipatory Action in Heatwaves in India

As India has been experiencing increasingly extreme heatwaves, with the year 2024 being the warmest on record, the urgency for effective heatwave preparedness and response has never been more pressing. In light of the unprecedented challenges posed by these heat events, this report, “A Landscape Study of Diverse Climatic Zones on Anticipatory Action in Heatwaves: Indian Community Perspectives,” has been developed.

Drawing on the lessons learned from ADRA India’s response to the 2024 heatwave, and with the goal of incorporating insights from global efforts in anticipatory action, this study focuses on how anticipatory measures can better prepare communities, especially the most vulnerable, for future heat events. By examining the experiences of small-scale farmers, migrant workers, women, children, daily wage laborers, and other marginalized groups across diverse climatic zones, the study highlights the scope of improvement in the existing systems, including heatwave forecasting, early warnings, and community preparedness.