Key Facts and Data Points

  • Addition to notified list: Heatwaves and lightning added to SDRF/NDRF operational guidelines
  • Award period: 2026-31 (16th Finance Commission cycle)
  • Expanded list: From 12 to 14 notified natural calamity categories
  • Financial mechanism: States can use SDRF funds for relief; NDRF may supplement state resources
  • Mitigation eligibility: Heat-wave mitigation projects eligible under Disaster Mitigation Funds

Background and Context

The 16th Finance Commission recommended including heatwaves and lightning as notified natural calamities, citing:

  • Increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events
  • Growing impacts of climate change on India
  • Need to strengthen disaster risk financing framework

Expanded Notified Categories (14 total):

  1. Cyclone
  2. Drought
  3. Earthquake
  4. Fire
  5. Flood
  6. Tsunami
  7. Hailstorm
  8. Landslide
  9. Avalanche
  10. Cloudburst
  11. Pest attack
  12. Frost and cold wave
  13. Heatwave (new)
  14. Lightning (new)

Understanding the Phenomena

Heat Waves

  • Prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures compared to normal climate
  • Occur mainly from March to June (occasionally extending to July)
  • May is the peak month
  • IMD (India Meteorological Department) declares heat waves based on region-specific temperature thresholds

Lightning

  • Rapid atmospheric electrical discharge
  • Caused by separation and accumulation of opposite electrical charges
  • Can occur:
  • Within a cloud
  • Between clouds
  • Between cloud and surrounding air
  • Between cloud and ground
  • Associated with thunderstorms, volcanic ash plumes, wildfire clouds, intense snowstorms
  • Follows path of least resistance; strikes nearest object with highest electric potential

Lightning Rod

  • Pointed metallic conductor (usually copper)
  • Installed on buildings to intercept strikes
  • Safely conducts electrical current to ground
  • Pointed design creates strong electric field
  • Dissipates charges through earthing wire

Significance for India

  • Disaster management alignment with climate change impacts
  • Enhanced state capacity to provide relief and assistance
  • Financial accessibility through SDRF/NDRF mechanisms
  • Preventive focus through eligible mitigation projects
  • Risk reduction for vulnerable populations

Constitutional/Legal Provisions

  • Article 280: Finance Commission (deals with distribution of revenues between Centre and states)
  • Disaster Management Act, 2005: Framework for disaster response and relief
  • SDRF/NDRF: Constitutional mechanisms for disaster response funding