12 April 2024, New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, keeping the agriculture and farmer community in mind, presided over a meeting to assess readiness for the upcoming heat wave season. During the meeting, the Prime Minister received a comprehensive briefing on the temperature outlook for the period from April to June 2024. The forecasts indicated a likelihood of above-normal maximum temperatures across the country, with Central India and the western peninsular region being particularly susceptible.
The discussions also encompassed the preparedness in the health sector, with a specific focus on essential medicines, intravenous fluids, ice packs, oral rehydration solution (ORS), and drinking water. Recognizing the significance of timely dissemination of information, especially in regional languages, the Prime Minister stressed the need for widespread awareness campaigns through television, radio, and social media platforms.
Given the anticipated hotter than normal summer in 2024, which coincides with the General Elections, it was emphasized that advisories issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) should be translated into regional languages and disseminated extensively.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of a comprehensive whole-of-government approach, underscoring the need for synergy among the central, state, and district-level government bodies, as well as various ministries. From an agricultural and farmer perspective, the Prime Minister emphasized the creation of awareness alongside adequate preparation in hospitals.
Additionally, he stressed the urgency of prompt detection and containment of forest fires, which can pose risks to farming communities.
The meeting witnessed the participation of the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, officials from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), placing a strong emphasis on addressing the concerns of the agriculture and farmer sectors.
