<span style="color: #222222;">The Government has said that the National Disaster Management Authority and India Meteorological Department are working with 23 States to develop Heat Action Plans. Earth Science Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said this in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. <br />''<br />''He said, heat action plans are being developed in the States prone to high temperatures leading to heat-wave conditions. Dr Singh said, as per studies, the stress induced due to heat waves increases respiration and mortality, reduces fertility, modifies animal behavior, and suppresses the immune and endocrine systems.  The Minister said, the Heat Action Plan is a comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events. The Plan presents immediate as well as longer-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing, and response coordination to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations. Heatwave is one of the severe weather phenomena for which IMD issues an early warning.</span><br />