Incorporate weather, climate inputs while planning 'one nation, one poll', says IMD chief

With the government contemplating the idea of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state elections India Meteorological Department chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the authorities should certainly take weather conditions and the climate into consideration when planning for such a massive exerciseMohapatra told PTI in an interview that India will experience intense heat during the general election period and the IMD is providing specialised forecasts to help authorities prepare better but it has not proposed a change in the timings of public rallies and votingAsked about the ideal time to hold elections given the central governments contemplation of the one nation one poll concept the IMD director general stressed that the authorities must consider weather conditions and the climate while planningOne nation one poll refers to the idea of holding simultaneous polls in the country to elect Lok Sabha and state assembly representativesThe government has proposed this idea saying it would reduce the deployment of poll officials and security forces multiple times each year and decrease costs incurred by the public exchequer and political parties on their campaignsThis year around a billion people are expected to exercise their franchise during the sevenphase general elections between April 9 and June 1 heightening concerns about vulnerability to heat wavesGujarat Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Bihar Jharkhand Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are likely to record a significantly higher number of heatwave days according to the national weather bodyTheres an elevated risk of heatwaverelated health issues among the electorate and staff Mohapatra saidGiven the extreme heat forecast he said sufficient arrangements for water cooling and heat care should be made for public rallies and voting on election daysIf people are in the queue they should have sufficient water to drink There should be a provision for first aid and health workers to help if people faint or suffer from sunstroke and there should be shade This is the minimum requirement in terms of preparations Mohapatra saidHe said the Election Commission of India consulted the IMD before announcing the poll scheduleWe provided at the initial stage the climatological information for March April May and June for different parts of the country so that they can make a judicious decision on which part and at what time they should conduct the elections he saidWe are also issuing all types of forecasts and warnings on a daily weekly monthly and seasonal basis he addedThe IMD has identified areas that are expected to record abovenormal temperatures and heatwave conditionsThe weather office is also providing feellike temperature forecasts which combine the effect of temperature humidity and wind speed to give a better idea of how the weather would actually feel outsideIt is also providing forecasts for warm nights where night temperatures are on the higher side making it difficult for people to sleepAll these products are being generated and provided to the general public district administrators and statelevel authoritiesStakeholders including health power labour agriculture water resources and many more at the central level and the state level as well as the Election Commission and state election commissions are being provided with this information regularly This information will certainly help them plan accordingly for the election process Mohapatra saidAsked how severe the heat would be during the elections the IMD chief said abovenormal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country in the AprilJune period with a high probability over central and western peninsular IndiaFour to eight heatwave days are expected in different parts of the country in April against a normal of one to three days Ten to 20 days of heatwave are expected against a normal of four to eight days in the entire AprilJune period he saidThe areas predicted to see more heatwave days are Madhya Pradesh Gujarat Odisha Andhra Pradesh Madhya Maharashtra Vidarbha Marathwada Bihar and Jharkhand Some places may record over 20 days of heatwaveBased on our early warning the National Disaster Management Authority has issued some guidance to the Election Commission based on the forecast of March 1 Now the April 1 forecast has been communicated and I hope the Election Commission and NDMA will again discuss and finalise the course of action Mohapatra saidThe IMD chief said the national weather body has not suggested a change in timings of public rallies and voting during electionsThis decision has to be taken by the authorities concerned But the general guidance from the NDMA and others is that there should be some provision for cooling water and basic health facilitiesFor example we have to take into consideration people who will be working as election agents and election officers in the booths Therefore their room should also have the facility to combat the rising temperature he saidThe death of several people at a Navi Mumbai rally last year due to high heat and humidity prompted the IMD to issue a special warning combining heat and humidity Mohapatra saidIf the temperature is at least three degrees Celsius above normal and relative humidity is above normal we are issuing a warning for that particular district or a particular area he said adding that Navi Mumbai did not experience a heatwave at the time of the incident last year but high humidity and long exposure led to the incidentSo there are two aspects One aspect we have addressed this year we are providing warnings for hot and humid weather but you also have to take preparatory measures while you are planning for such a gathering There should certainly be provisions for water shade and cooling the IMD chief saidHe also said the intense heat could strain power grids impact the wintergrown crops and result in water shortages in parts of IndiaThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no 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