New Delhi: Highlighting the 3,639 deaths caused by cold waves between 2019 and 2023, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday directed 19 state governments and four Union Territory administrations to take pre-emptive measures to protect vulnerable populations ahead of the upcoming winter season.
The Commission emphasised that newborns, children, infants, the poor, elderly, homeless, destitutes, and people involved in beggary are particularly at risk due to lack of shelter and resources. Authorities were urged to implement targeted relief measures to safeguard these groups from the harsh impact of cold waves.
The NHRC called for Action-Taken Reports (ATRs) from the state and UT governments, stressing the need to sensitise local authorities to the risks posed by extreme cold.
Referring to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India for 2019-2023, the Commission noted that a total of 3,639 people died due to exposure to cold waves. In 2023 alone, out of 6,444 accidental deaths attributable to forces of nature, approximately 11.4 per cent were caused by cold exposure.
The NHRC reiterated guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to mitigate the effects of cold waves. These include establishing standard treatment protocols, setting up day and night shelters, providing medical care, monitoring relief efforts consistently, and adopting a proactive approach to ensure effectiveness.
The Commission stressed that changing weather patterns due to climate change have direct implications for human rights, reaffirming its commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and upholding their dignity.
With IANS inputs