State Planning Commission flags sector-wise impact from heat wave, calls for measures

State Planning Commission report highlights heat wave impacts across sectors, recommends strategies for mitigation and adaptation in Tamil Nadu.

With a lot of action around tackling heat waves, the State Planning Commission (SPC) has looked at impact across sectors including occupational impacts and has made key recommendations.

Rising temperatures are heavily altering and straining economies across sectors and supply chains. Heat stress is repeatedly causing disruptions in ecological and economic systems, SPC report titled ‘Beating The Heat-Tamil Nadu Heat Mitigation Strategy’ said.

Heat impacts in terms of occupational and operational risks include the loss of labour supply (shortage of working hours/ human capital), loss of work efficiency (output during working hours) due to heat exhaustion, and fire hazards/machinery failures, it noted.

The first and most important recommendation for improving the state of resources and productivity in Tamil Nadu is to undertake appropriate and detailed scientific research on human, animal, and plant capacities and their response to various meteorological conditions, the Planning Commission said.

The report flagged the issue of populations in adverse working conditions like the outdoor workers, informal workers, gig workers, workers exposed to mechanical/indoor heat and said heat-induced stress would reduce work efficiency and productivity and impact worker welfare.

It noted that there is increased risk to the gig economy due to supply chain disruptions and logistical challenges and there might be disruptions in delivery schedules and logistical operations due to extreme weather conditions, leading to wage loss.

Implementing workplace safety protocols that include regular breaks in shaded or cool areas, provision of adequate rest periods, access to potable water, changes in working schedules, optimal clothing guidelines, and rotation of tasks to minimise heat exposure, are among the measures recommended by the report.