The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued an advisory to states and union territories to protect vulnerable people staying in shelters under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) from intensifying heatwave conditions. The advisory, dated April 30, directs urban local bodies (ULBs) and shelter management agencies (SMAs) to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of shelter residents during extreme heat conditions.

The advisory calls for adequate and regular supply of potable drinking water, clean water for bathing, and oral rehydration solution packets and salted drinks, as well as functional fans, water dispensers, and other cooling facilities in shelters.

The Ministry also directs local bodies to undertake fogging and sanitation measures to control mosquitoes and prevent vector-borne diseases, and to conduct regular awareness sessions on heat safety, symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and hydration practices.

The advisory further directs that all shelters be geo-tagged, with their coordinates being displayed on various portals, to improve accessibility during emergencies, and calls for public awareness campaigns to inform people about shelter locations, rescue teams, helpline services, and other support systems available during heatwaves.

The Ministry has urged states and local bodies to enhance shelter capacity and develop comprehensive emergency response plans, including provisions for medical facilities and specialised assistance where required, in anticipation of increased demand during extreme weather conditions. The states and union territories are expected to implement these measures immediately to protect shelter residents from the worsening heatwave conditions.