Heatwaves and Lightning Included as Notified Natural Calamities Under SDRF and NDRF Guidelines
The Union Government has formally included heatwaves and lightning in the official list of notified natural calamities under the operational guidelines of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the 2026–31 award period. This policy decision follows recommendations by the 16th Finance Commission (2026–31), responding to the rising frequency and intensity of climate induced extreme weather events. The updated framework enables state governments to utilize SDRF funds to provide immediate relief and financial assistance to affected citizens, while NDRF funds may supplement state resources. Furthermore, heat wave mitigation projects are now explicitly eligible for support under Disaster Mitigation Funds.