Health

Mercury Rises In Delhi, North India, IMD Issues Heat Wave Alert; Expert Says ‘Stay Hydrated’

India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist Soma Sen Roy stated that a heatwave alert has been issued on Monday for North India

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IMD Scientist Soma Sen Roy predicted likely relief from the heatwave from tomorrow

New Delhi: As the summer season peaks in India, mercury simmered above 40 degrees Celsius in Delhi and several other parts of North India. The highest recorded temperatures in Delhi reached a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday, climbed to above 42 degrees on Sunday, and reached 44 degrees Celsius on Monday (May 22). India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist Soma Sen Roy stated that a heatwave alert has been issued on Monday for North India. IMD scientist Soma Sen Roy said,

We have issued a heatwave alert for today for south Haryana, Delhi, south UP, north MP, Jharkhand, Bihar and Bengal. Tomorrow, heatwave alert is not given for any place other than Jharkhand.

Also Read: Heat Wave Conditions Prevail In India, Here Is How Extreme Heat Can Impact Your Health

However, Ms Roy predicted likely relief from the heatwave from tomorrow. “Yes, there is a strong possibility that is likely,” said the IMD scientist.

According to reports, Chandigarh has been witnessing rising temperatures for the past two days. On Sunday, the temperature exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, and it may do so again on Monday.

Punjab and Haryana are also reeling under the scorching heatwaves with numerous locations recording temperatures as high as 44 degrees. In the next two days, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh may get rain as a result of the Western Disturbance.

With soaring heat, health experts in Varanasi advised the residents to stay hydrated to battle the blazing heat wave.

While talking to ANI, the Chief Medical Officer of Varanasi, Sandeep Chaudhary said,

Drink lots of water, eat proper nutritious food while moving out of the house. Make sure to cover your hands with full sleeves and face with scarves. Stay hydrated as much as possible. Drink lemonade, buttermilk or ‘Shikanji’ (spiced lemonade) instead of aerated drinks.

Also Read: Heat Wave In India: Dos And Don’ts To Protect Yourself From The Heat Wave And Soaring Mercury

As per the reports, heat waves continue to break out in the morning due to the rise in temperatures and scorching winds coming from the west.

In another incidence of the heatwaves, mercury crossed 45 degrees in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh. Due to the blistering heat, the residents are worried. People are drinking water and juices to cool their bodies amidst the heatstrokes.

With temperatures soaring at 40 degrees Celsius, the demand for sweet and savoury sattu drinks has increased among people in Bihar to beat the heat waves.

Sattu Sharbat is a traditional nutritious summer drink from Bihar that is typically made with roasted black chickpea (kala chana) flour. Rich in fibre and protein, sattu sharbat keeps the body hydrated and cool and helps prevent sunstroke.

Also Read: India’s Heat Action Plans Fail To Identify And Target Vulnerable Groups: Report

People were seen crowding at sattu drink stalls in Bihar’s capital, Patna. Sattu sharbat vendors are also doing good business as people throng the stalls to energize themselves.

A heatwave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season in the North-Western parts of India, according to National Disaster Management Authority.

Heatwaves typically occur between March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July. As of now, schools have been closed in Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal due to heat wave conditions. In northern states, the temperature is soaring but there is respite due to Western disturbances from time to time. Heat waves affect the Northern states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan generally in the month of May and June.

To minimise the impact during the heatwave and to prevent serious ailment or death because of heat stroke, you can take the following measures:

Avoid going out in the sun, especially between 12.00 noon and 3.00 p.m; Drink sufficient water as often as possible, even if not thirsty; Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, and porous cotton clothes; Use protective goggles; Use umbrella/hat while going out in the sun.

The extreme temperatures and resultant atmospheric conditions adversely affect people living in these regions as they cause physiological stress, sometimes resulting in death, according to National Disaster Management Authority.

The health impacts of heatwaves typically involve dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke. The signs and symptoms are as follows: Heat Cramps: Ederna (swelling) and Syncope (Fainting) are generally accompanied by fever below 39 degrees Celcius.

Heatwave conditions can result in physiological strain, which could even be fatal.

Also Read: Heat Waves Due To Climate Change Have Cost World Economy Trillions So Far: Study

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ populationindigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (WaterSanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollutionwaste managementplastic banmanual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diarrhoea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.

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