Protect vulnerable from heatwaves: NHRC to Telangana, 20 states, UT
New Delhi: Pointing to the disproportionate impact of rise in heatwave frequency and intensity on the marginalised sections, the NHRC on Tuesday, April 28, asked 21 states and Delhi to take advance action to protect the vulnerable population. The elderly, children, infants and newborns are especially susceptible to the health impacts of extreme heat. Additionally, heatwaves can lead to the loss of livelihoods and an increased risk of fire accidents, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said in a statement. Mercury levels have soared in various states in the country over the past few days and in Telangana, temperature readings have breached the 45 degrees Celsius mark at many places. In this context, the NHRC asked 21 states and Delhi to take advance action and implement relief measures to protect the vulnerable population during heatwaves. The states are Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam , Bihar, Chhattisgarh , Gujarat, Haryana , Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka , Ker...