Cold wave, heavy snowfall/rainfall, fog, snow storms etc. have emerged as one of the major weather hazards in recent years affecting different parts of the country. Cold wave is a localised seasonal phenomenon prevalent in the country except in southern India. The northern part of India, especially the hilly regions and the adjoining plain areas comprise of the Core Cold Wave Zone (CWZ), covers 17 states and accounts for a population of 90.90 crores. Out of this, 24.28 crore are either below 10 years or above 60 years of age (Rural 17.9 Cr. and Urban 6.38 Cr.), who are more vulnerable to cold waves. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released the National Guidelines for Preparation of Action Plan – Prevention and Management of Cold Wave” for improving the capacity of the States to deal with cold wave in a planned manner. Definition of Cold Wave and Frost As per the India Meteorological Department’s criteria, Cold Wave and Cold Day conditions are defined as: 1. Cold Wave It should be based on the actual minimum temperature of a station. Cold Wave is considered when the minimum temperature of a station is 10°C or less for plains and 0°C or less for hilly regions. Based on Departure Cold Wave (CW): Negative Departure from normal is 4.5°C to 6.4°C Severe Cold Wave (SCW): Negative Departure from normal is more than 6.4°C Based on Actual Minimum Temperature (For plain stations only) Cold Wave: When the minimum temperature is ≤ 04°C Severe Cold Wave: When the minimum temperature is ≤ 02°C Cold Wave conditions for coastal stations When minimum temperature departure is -4.5°C or less over a station, “Cold Wave” may be described if the minimum temperature is 15°C or less. 2. Cold Day It should be considered when minimum temperature is 10°C or less for plains and 0°C or less for hilly regions. Cold day: Maximum Temperature Departure is -4.5°C to -6.4°C Severe Cold day: Maximum Temperature Departure is < -6.4°C 3. Definition of frost/freeze warnings Freezing point : The constant temperature in which the solid and liquid forms of pure water are in equilibrium at Standard Atmospheric Pressure. (source- Glossary of IMD, Pune) Warning Wind Speed Air Temperature Frost Below 16 kmph Below 0°C Frost/Freeze Below 16 kmph Below 0°C Freeze Above 16 kmph Below 0°C Scope of guidelines Chapter 1 - Background and Introduction: This chapter examines cause of cold wave occurrences, weather hazards, climatology and trends of cold wave and the impact on various sectors. Chapter 2 - Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Analysis: This chapter analyses the hazard, vulnerability and riskand classifies the risk prone area as high-risk, average-risk and low-risk to indicate the degree of probability of the occurrence of the incident and impact. Chapter 3 - Early Warning and Communication: This chapter explains the entire system of issuing weather forecast and impact-based colour code early warning. Short to medium range forecast indicates the potential areas at risk with the probability of occurrence of the phenomena. It also explains the early warning dissemination and communication strategy. Now-casting provides specific information about the place and time of cold wave occurrence. Chapter 4 -Preparation of Action Plan:This chapter explains the rationale behind the guidelines and lists major objectives. It also lists the key strategies required to prepare for and respond to a cold wave events at the local level besides the steps involved in developing an action plan. Chapter 5 – Prevention and Mitigation Measures: This chapter deals with the concept of prevention and mitigation measures particularly for agriculture, health, animal husbandry, homeless and urban poor. Chapter 6 – Preparedness and Response Measures: This chapter deals with preparedness and response measures at different levels, minimising the impact of injuries, loss of life and damage to property and the environment. Chapter 7 – Information Education and Communication (IEC): This chapter deals with the key strategy for Information Education and Communication (IEC) and dissemination of early warning to the last person in time. The chapter also discusses IEC activities and awareness campaigns at the National, State/District level, key warning messages, communication and dissemination strategies, public awareness, community outreach. Chapter 8 – Capacity Building and Training: This chapter emphasises on capacity building by making cold wave education a part of educational curriculum. This chapter deals with specific training and capacity building measures/plans for government functionaries and volunteers. Chapter 9 - Roles & Responsibilities and Implementation Plan: This chapter clearly lays down the roles/responsibilities of all stakeholders in a matrix format. It also provides a brief insight into how an SEOC, should function for rapid dissemination of information to all stakeholders to enable effective decision-making and quick response. Chapter 10 - Documentation and Reporting Formats (including loss assessment): The chapter underlines the need and importance of data collection and validation at the district level and compilation of data at the State and Central level, which in turn would feed into the national-level disaster database system to enable policy decisions. To access the complete guidelines, click here.