Be Ready To Tackle The Severe Heat Wave

Be Ready To Tackle The Severe Heat Wave
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The social distancing, curfews and closure of shops, fluctuating economy, indeterminate trade markets: if all of these was not enough, yet another trouble is hanging over our heads; the Heat Wave.

A Heatwave occurs when the temperature rises several degrees above the normal maximum temperature, generally between the months of March and June.

The average high temperature in New Delhi is around 35 C (95 F) during the middle of April, but by the end of the month, temperatures typically average near 38 C (100 F). The extreme temperatures and resultant atmospheric conditions adversely affect people they may cause physiological stress, dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

"Reaching a stretch of several days at or above 38 C (100 F) this early in the month is not unheard of, but it's a bit ahead of schedule," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk.

What IMD report says?

Average maximum temperatures are likely to be warmer than usual by 0.5-1 degrees celsius (°C) for April-May-June according to the latest seasonal outlook for temperatures released by IMD.

These temperatures will be warmer-than-usual over east and west Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathawada, north and south interior Karnataka, coastal Karnataka, Rayalaseema and Kerala.

There is also a 40 per cent probability of maximum temperatures in the core heat wave zone during April to June 2020 to be above normal.

Core heat wave zone covers the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana and the meteorological subdivisions of Marathawada, Madhya Maharashtra and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This would also mean that there are above-normal chances of heat waves in these areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) are already working to prepare and respond to anticipated heatwaves. The department have listed some do’s and don’ts. Every detail is preserved and pointed out authentically as issued by the department itself, no alternation has been made. Kindly go through them intricately.

The national government is working towards sustainable cooling for all with the India Cooling Action Plan, which includes promotion of passive cooling techniques such as cool roofs and energy efficiency programs for buildings, air conditioners and fans.

We need to remember to not take this lightly because heat is not merely an inconvenience; it kills. Symptoms of heat-related illness include vomiting, headaches, dehydration, and diarrhoea. Staff in hospitals, businesses, and municipal buildings often struggle to keep communities cool and healthy. The number of high-temperature days in India has increased over the past fifty years, and especially since the 1990s, in highly-populated cities, such as Mumbai and New Delhi.

We urge you to abide by all the mentioned guidelines as it has been laid down after considering and re-considering the well-being of every strata of people. Stay safe!