Following the “red box” warning issued by Indian Metrological Department (IMD) referring to high chances of heatstroke, dehydration and fatality with temperatures above 45 degree Celsius, the Union Health Ministry may issue advisory for all the states on preventive measures to tackle the life taking heat wave. In the wake of unrelenting heat wave claiming more than 1,100 lives during the last one week, the Health Ministry advisory would mention several dos and don’ts to deal with the heat wave conditions.
According to health ministry officials, the heatwave condition this year was unprecedented and death figures larger than previous years. “It has never been the practice to issue advisory on heat waves as in other life taking outbreaks such swine flu, bird flu, etc. It will for the first time that health ministry will be issuing an advisory to deal with the extreme heat wave,” a health ministry said.
“The states in the grip of heat waves would be asked to launch awareness drive to educate people on adopting preventive measures through posters at public places – schools, colleges, bus stands, railway stations and radio jingles. The advisory would also have suggestions about what to eat, drink, which type of clothes to wear and how to cover faces while being in exposure to extreme condition,” the official said.
The “red box” warnings by IMD have been issued for Odisha, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh as the country has not witnessed such intense heat conditions in the last one decade. The condition of heatwave has worsened due to hot westerly winds blowing from Pakistan through north India reaching up to central India. This condition is expected to continue for another two days.