ABSTRACT
Climate change is a major topic of global and national debate and action. Climate change basically constitutes two elements: a change in the global temperature and a change in the level and pattern of precipitation from the average in a given location. Climate change is manifested initially in two ways: a rise in temperature and changes in precipitation. In general, increased variability of weather as well as rising temperature is the hallmark of climate change. The impacts of and vulnerability to climate change and climatic variability are influenced by several factors. The climate is tropical with a long summer, which of course has inter-annual, inter-seasonal and geographical variations. The changing climate may be more conducive for vector-borne diseases and harmful pathogens, and thus the disease burden may increase and mortality and morbidity may rise. As the issues of climate change and its possible impact became increasingly clear, the need for planning for managing climate change has been strongly felt.
