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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Punjab: Blast near army cantt area in Amritsar, hours after explosion in Jalandhar
Chandigarh (PTI): An explosion occurred near the army cantonment area in Khasa late Tuesday night in Punjab's Amritsar, the second such incident which took place around three hours after a blast outside the headquarters of the Border Security Force's Punjab Frontier in Jalandhar.
According to the police, an investigation into both blast incidents is currently underway, and no injuries have been reported.
The first explosion happened around 8 pm in Jalandhar, while the second blast occurred at approximately 11 pm in Amritsar.
Amritsar (Rural) Senior Superintendent of Police Suhail Mir Qasim stated that police received reports of a loud sound at around 11 pm on a road in Khasa. "Our teams arrived on the scene immediately," he said.
Preliminary inspections indicated that someone had thrown an explosive device towards the boundary wall, leading to the explosion, according to the SSP.
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Police mentioned that a piece of a tin sheet covering the boundary wall had fallen as a result of the blast.
Following the explosion, a team of forensic and bomb disposal squad visited the site to collect samples.
Amritsar Rural Superintendent of Police Aditya S. Warrier, who also visited the scene, confirmed that further investigations are ongoing. Police added that a team of army officials also assessed the situation, after which the area was cordoned off.
CCTV footage from the vicinity shows the explosion occurring at night. A local villager reported that his family was awakened by the loud sound and came outside their home to see what had happened.
Before the Amritsar explosion, a blast took place outside the headquarters of the Border Security Force's Punjab Frontier in Jalandhar district around 8 pm on Tuesday, causing panic in the area.
CCTV footage captured the explosion, which resulted in a cloud of smoke. An unidentified man was seen running for cover following the blast.
The blast ripped apart a scooter, damaged a traffic signal pole and windowpanes of a nearby shop. Locals recounted that the scooter, which was parked outside the BSF headquarters, Punjab Frontier, caught fire shortly after a loud sound. It belonged to Gurpreet Singh, who regularly delivers parcels in the area.
Talking to reporters on Tuesday night, one of Gurpreet's relatives said that the scooter caught fire as he was approaching it. He immediately called his father and informed him about the incident.
Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur confirmed to reporters late Tuesday that an Activa scooter parked near the gate caught fire suddenly. She stated that Gurpreet is fully cooperating with the investigation.
Witnesses nearby reported hearing a loud sound following the explosion.
On April 27, an explosion occurred at a freight corridor rail track in Shambhu in Patiala. Police had arrested four members of a pro-Khalistan terror module, backed by Pakistan's ISI, for the blast.
In light of these incidents, opposition parties have condemned the AAP government for its handling of the situation.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the home portfolio, over the recent blasts.
"Three blasts in 10 days, two in a single day, May 5: Jalandhar outside BSF headquarters and Sri Amritsar Sahib Army area, April 27: Rajpura rail track. Continued intelligence failures and the collapse of law and order are a matter of grave concern. Chief Minister @BhagwantMann, who is also the state Home Minister, is busy with mimicry and cheap politics. He has forfeited the right to remain in office," Badal said in a post on X.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also slammed the Mann government over the two blasts.
"Back-to-back blasts have shaken Punjab. Yesterday in Jalandhar, and now near Khasa Camp in Amritsar, this is deeply alarming. Who is trying to destabilise our state? Why has the Punjab Government failed to prevent such incidents? What is the Government of India doing? Repeated lapses point to a serious breakdown of intelligence and security. Punjab's peace cannot be compromised. We demand accountability and immediate action," Warring said in a post on X.
