India, Feb. 2 -- The 16th Finance Commission has recommended adding heatwaves and lightning to India's national disaster list

Panel cites rising deaths, extreme heat and a sharp increase in lightning strikes

Recommendation would allow states to access disaster funds more directly

Rs 1.4 lakh crore in Finance Commission grants allocated to states for 2026-27

The 16th Finance Commission has recommended that heatwaves and lightning strikes be included in India's list of nationally notified disasters, citing their growing impact and rising death toll. It has also backed the continuation of a system that allows states to spend up to 10 per cent of their disaster relief funds on locally severe events not on the national list.

The recommend...