In light of the current heatwave that has claimed hundreds of lives across the nation, the Rajasthan High Court urged the central government to declare a national emergency on Thursday. This occurred when temperatures in a number of cities, including Sirsa, Churu, Pholodi, and Nagpur, had surpassed 50 degrees.
“We do not have a planet B which we can move onto…If we do not take strict action now, we will lose the chance of seeing out future generations flourish forever,” the court said on Thursday, further adding that the government should declare it a “national calamity”.
The action would make it possible to mobilize emergency relief in a manner akin to that of natural catastrophes like cyclones and floods.
The “Prevention of Death Due to Heat and Cold Waves Bill 2015,” which, if passed, would label heatwaves and cold waves as a national emergency, was noted by the court, according to LiveLaw.
The court noted that the death toll was on the rise and stated, “Hundreds of people have lost their lives this month due to extreme weather conditions in the form of (the) heatwave”.
The court also directed the state government to establish compensation funds for the relatives of anyone who dies from heat-related ailments, highlighting the government’s failure to act appropriately for people impacted by the heatwaves.
Some places of northern India had temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius, including Delhi, which on Tuesday recorded its highest temperature ever—49.9 degrees Celsius.
In the meantime, officials in Bihar said on Friday that 10 poll workers were among the 14 individuals who perished from heatstroke.
On Saturday, the last round of voting is scheduled to take place in seven states and one territory. The majority of the states affected by rising temperatures are Bihar, UP, Jharkhand, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab, which are among those voting in Phase 7.
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Rajasthan HC sounds caution over extreme heat, urges Centre to declare national calamity
