Srinagar, Aug 04 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir has reported three heatstroke cases but no confirmed death during the current year up to 26 July 2026, according to data furnished by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The data, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), was provided by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in response to an unstarred question by BJP MP Anoop Pradhan Valmiki, who sought details on heatwave conditions, heatwave-related deaths and health impacts, and whether the government was considering declaring heatwaves a natural disaster.
As per the data, Jammu and Kashmir recorded a cumulative three heatstroke cases since 1 March 2026, while no confirmed heatstroke death was reported during the period. Ladakh, meanwhile, reported zero heatstroke cases and zero confirmed deaths.
The Ministry said the National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance (NHRIDS) has been activated across more than 51,000 reporting units, including PHCs and hospitals above that level, across the country.
Rai said the 16th Finance Commission has recommended inclusion of heatwaves and lightning in the list of notified natural calamities for the 2026–31 award period. Based on these recommendations, the Ministry of Home Affairs has included heatwaves and lightning in the list of notified natural calamities under the operational guidelines for administration of the SDRF and NDRF.
He further said a policy framework for providing relief assistance through SDRF/NDRF is now in place, while heatwave mitigation projects are eligible under Disaster Mitigation Funds—(KNO)