Heatwaves and lightning notified as disasters eligible for SDRF/NDRF relief

Heatwaves and lightning have been officially recognised as natural calamities eligible for relief under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), according to a statement made in Parliament on August 4, 2026. The article says this notification followed recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission and allows SDRF/NDRF use for response, relief, recovery and reconstruction linked to these disasters.