State seeks natural disaster status to deaths caused by heatwave

‘So far 215 persons became victims of sun stroke since April 1’

With no let up in the deaths due to severe heat wave conditions in the State, the government has decided to write to the Centre to include loss of life due to extreme temperatures under the list of natural calamities category.

Of 11 natural disasters notified for the release of compensation of Rs.1.5 lakh under the National Disaster Response Fund, deaths due to cold wave conditions were included in the list last year after it was cleared by the 13 Finance Commission.

A representation submitted for including heat wave victims also for coverage under the NDRF last year however was not cleared. “This year so far 215 persons became victims of sun stroke since April 1 though unofficial records put the death toll much higher. We will be writing to the 14 Finance Commission that extreme heat wave conditions should also be notified as natural disaster,” said T.Radha, Commissioner, Disaster Management.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Saturday, he said Government wants to constitute a committee to study the extreme temperatures and the resultant loss of lives.

Under Apathbandhu scheme, government was extending Rs.50,000 to the BPL families of the deceased. But to get the claim from the insurance company, the post mortem report and FIR copy should be submitted to the revenue authorities, he said.