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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Govt to set up Bureau of Port Security to boost port, vessel security
New Delhi (PTI): To beef up the security infrastructure of ports, the government will set up a statutory body -- the Bureau of Port Security -- that will ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information of ports and vessels, officials said on Friday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday convened a meeting for the constitution of the dedicated body, the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), which was attended by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, and the Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, an official statement said.
Emphasising that there is a need to establish a country-wide robust port security framework, Shah directed that security measures should be implemented in a graded and risk-based manner, taking into account vulnerabilities, trade potential, location, and other relevant parameters.
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The meeting also noted that lessons learned from the maritime security framework shall be replicated in the aviation security domain, the statement said.
The new body, modelled on the lines of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), will be constituted as a statutory body under the new Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, and will work under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), it said.
Headed by a senior IPS officer as its director general, the BoPS will be responsible for regulatory and oversight functions relating to the security of ships and port facilities.
"During the transition period of one year, the director general of shipping shall function as the director general of BoPS," the statement said.
"The BoPS will ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information, with a special focus on cybersecurity, including a dedicated division to safeguard port IT infrastructure from digital threats," it said.
The government has designated the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as a recognised security organisation (RSO), responsible for undertaking security assessments and preparation of security plans for port facilities.
The Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will train and build the capacities of private security agencies (PSAs) engaged in port security.
"These agencies shall be certified and appropriate regulatory measures shall be introduced to ensure that only the licensed PSAs operate in this sector," the statement said.
