India, Aug. 7 -- India has added heatwaves and lightning to its list of notified natural disasters, making states eligible for financial assistance under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The decision follows recommendations by the 16th Finance Commission and comes amid rising concern over extreme weather linked to climate change.

At least 20 people died of heatstroke between March 1 and July 26, 2026, while nearly 5,000 heatstroke cases were reported across several states.

States can now draw on State Disaster Response Fund and mitigation funds for heatwave and lightning-related relief, with the National Disaster Response Fund available when state funds are inadequate.

Heatwaves are now a notified natural disaster in India. In a sig...