India notifies heatwaves as natural calamity to aid vulnerable

In India, very hot weather called a heatwave can make people sick, especially those who work outside or live without fans and cool air.

On August 4, the Indian government officially said that heatwaves are a natural calamity, like floods or earthquakes.

This is a big deal because it lets states use special government money to help people during very hot days.

Cities can build cooling shelters, add more water points, and make public places cooler.

Before this, states could only use a small part of this money for heatwaves.

Experts say people who work outdoors, like builders and farm workers, suffer the most from the heat.

The money acts like seed money to start heat action plans that protect people.

Doctors say hospitals and health systems also need to be ready.

The goal is to protect everyone, especially poor and vulnerable people, from dangerous heat.