Delhi Govt issues heatwave advisory amid rising temperatures
New Delhi: As Delhi reels under a heatwave, with the maximum temperature reaching 40.2°C on Monday, the city administration has issued a health advisory urging residents to take precautions against heat-related illnesses, especially heatstroke.
The advisory, issued by the Delhi health department, highlights the risks posed by extreme heat, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Delhi is currently under a yellow alert, which remains in effect till Wednesday.
Citizens have been advised to stay indoors during peak heat hours between 12 pm and 3 pm, wear light-coloured, loose-fitting cotton clothes, cover their heads with a cap, scarf or umbrella, and use sunglasses to protect against UV rays. Staying hydrated has been strongly recommended, even without feeling thirsty. People are urged to drink plenty of fluids, carry water when stepping out, and rely on safe sources such as boiled or RO-filtered water.
The advisory also recommends the consumption of seasonal fruits and vegetables with high water content, like watermelon, cucumber, oranges, tomatoes, and lemons. Spicy and high-protein foods, as well as beverages like tea, coffee, alcohol, and carbonated drinks, should be avoided to prevent dehydration.
Workplaces have been asked to adjust working hours for outdoor labourers, preferably to early morning or late evening shifts. Employers are advised to ensure availability of shaded rest areas, cool drinking water, and oral rehydration points. A "buddy system" has also been encouraged at job sites to help monitor early signs of heat stress among workers.
Symptoms of heatstroke include high fever, fainting, dry and flushed skin, vomiting, muscle cramps, shortness of breath, and confusion. Immediate medical attention is advised for anyone exhibiting these signs.
People living in poorly ventilated homes and urban slums have been urged to take extra precautions. The government has suggested keeping homes well-ventilated during cooler hours and shutting windows and curtains during the hottest part of the day.
Additionally, residents are advised not to leave children or elderly individuals inside parked cars, where temperatures can rise rapidly. Homemade drinks like lemon water and buttermilk have been recommended as cooling alternatives.
To increase public awareness, the government plans to install digital information boards showing real-time temperature updates and health tips. It has also called for preparedness at community and institutional levels, including emergency planning at health centres and coordination between departments to mitigate health impacts during the ongoing heatwave.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
