Health Advisory Issued as Heatwave Grips the Country

The Union Health Ministry issued a health advisory on Monday, following the heat wave that gripped North India.

Mercury rises across the country.

(Photo: iStock)

Following the heat wave that gripped Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, the Union Health Ministry issued a health advisory asking people to remain indoors, shelter themselves from direct sun, and stay hydrated.

People feeling unwell, especially aged people, young children, pregnant women, those with pre-existing medical conditions, and outdoor workers, should be immediately shifted to a cooler place, put on minimum clothing, sponged with cold water, applied ice packs wrapped in cloth, and transported to the nearest health facility directed the advisory.

The past few days have seen record temperatures across the country. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Churu and Ganganagar in Rajasthan recorded the highest maximum temperature in the country on Sunday at 48.9°C and 48.6°C respectively. The National Capital Region (NCR) recorded highs of 46.8°C over the weekend.

The heat has already claimed two lives in Gujarat – one in the Meghraj taluka in the Sabarkabtha district and another in the Jerome taluka in the Rajkot district. More than 300 others affected by excessive heat and dehydration were admitted to hospitals in the state.

The IMD warns that for others there may be no respite till 7 June.

The NCR is expected to get some respite from the heat on Tuesday. The IMD warns that for others there may be no respite till June 7th with widespread high temperatures expected to persist over the coming week. Highs will float in the range of 42-47 C, while temperatures expected to reach 50 C (122 F) in the hottest locations.

The IMD declares a heatwave if the maximum temperature of a weather station in the plains crosses 45 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days, while a severe heatwave is declared if temperatures exceed 47 degrees Celsius for two days.

The monsoon, which is expected to bring respite from the heatwave, is running a week behind schedule and is expected to hit India’s southern tip only on 6 June, the weather department said.

Private Indian forecaster Skymet has said that this year has been the second-driest pre-monsoon season in the past 65 years, with further predictions of less than average rainfall this year.