New Delhi, April 29
Amid rising summer temperatures in the national capital, the Delhi government on Wednesday appointed nodal heat officers at the state and district levels to coordinate heatwave preparedness and response. The move aims to strengthen the implementation of relief measures across departments under the Delhi Disaster Management Authority.
As per an order issued by the revenue secretary-cum-divisional commissioner, the special chief executive officer of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has been designated as the state’s chief heat officer. At the district level, Sub-Divisional Magistrates working with the DDMA will function as nodal heat officers to oversee the implementation of heatwave management measures.
Officials said the arrangement is intended to ensure the timely execution of government directions aimed at reducing heat-related hardships. A senior revenue department officer said the nodal officers will be responsible for ensuring that all measures are implemented without delay across departments.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed departments to ensure rest hours for workers between 1 pm and 4 pm. She has also ordered the provision of oral rehydration solution in schools and the installation of iceboxes in public transport buses to provide relief to drivers, conductors, and passengers during peak heat hours.
According to the government, 339 health centers across Delhi have been stocked with oral rehydration solution packets, ice packs, and related supplies. In addition, 30 hospitals have set up dedicated cool rooms for the treatment and management of heatstroke cases.
The Chief Minister said medical officers and Accredited Social Health Activists have been trained to handle heat-related illnesses. Around 330 ambulances have also been placed on standby to respond to emergencies during the summer season.
Officials said a heat action plan is being implemented through the DDMA, which is coordinating efforts across multiple departments, along with support from non-governmental organizations. As part of field-level measures, drinking water points, water coolers, shaded shelters, and cooling stations are being set up across the city.
Authorities said the expanded administrative framework is aimed at improving coordination and strengthening on-ground response to heatwave conditions in Delhi, while ensuring faster delivery of relief measures to vulnerable sections of the population.
