Karnataka grapples with severe heatwave, IMD issues dire warning, guidelines
The scorching summer heat has descended upon the state, leaving its residents reeling under its oppressive grip. The onset of heatwaves has particularly impacted manual laborers, drivers, and unprotected commuters, subjecting them to the relentless rays of the sun. With temperatures soaring 2-3 degrees Celsius above normal in North Interior, South Interior, and Coastal regions, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an alarm, forecasting a prolonged period of heightened temperatures from April through May.
In the capital city of Bengaluru, where extreme temperatures have persisted over the last three days, the public finds itself drained and fatigued by the unyielding heat. Reluctance to venture outdoors prevails as the absence of rainfall exacerbates the situation. According to data released by the IMD, this year's temperatures mark a five-year high, with April 3rd recording a staggering 37°C, the highest in recent memory.
Amidst the sweltering conditions, the climate forecast paints a grim picture, predicting heatwaves lasting anywhere from 2 to 14 days across the state. Recognizing the imminent threat posed to human and animal welfare, the Revenue Department has issued crucial guidelines aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of the extreme heat. This move comes in the wake of 223 taluks being declared drought-hit, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
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The guidelines advocate for prudent measures to combat the heat, including avoiding outdoor activities during peak hours (12 PM to 3 PM), ensuring adequate hydration through regular water intake, and donning light-colored clothing, sunglasses, and headgear when venturing outside. Additionally, the public is advised to refrain from consuming dehydrating beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks, opting instead for hot foods to maintain hydration levels.
To safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly children and pets, from the dangers of overheating, strict precautions are advised. Never leaving them unattended in parked vehicles, providing ample shade and hydration, and seeking immediate medical attention in case of fainting or illness are emphasized in the guidelines.
For those already succumbing to the heat's onslaught, the guidelines prescribe prompt action, including relocating the individual to a shaded area, administering rehydrating solutions like ORS or lemonade, and seeking medical assistance if symptoms persist or worsen.
In a concerted effort to preemptively address the challenges posed by heatwaves, the guidelines underscore the importance of infrastructure and community support. This includes ensuring access to drinking water in heat-prone areas, erecting shades in public spaces, stocking essential veterinary medicines, and disseminating information to tourists and religious devotees about the extreme temperatures.
Moreover, contingency plans, such as water supply through tankers and borewells, are already in place and ready to be implemented as needed. Regulatory measures, such as weekly meetings of the District Disaster Management Authority and taluk-level task force committees, aim to facilitate coordinated responses to the evolving situation.
In addition to individual preparedness, the guidelines stress the importance of institutional readiness, with hospitals, industries, and public spaces undergoing rigorous fire safety audits and emergency response training to mitigate potential risks.
As the state braces itself for the relentless onslaught of summer heat, adherence to these guidelines becomes imperative to safeguard lives and livelihoods alike. With proactive measures and community resilience, the hope remains to weather this heatwave season with minimal casualties and maximum preparedness.
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Women BJP MLAs protest against opposition in UP assembly premises
Lucknow (PTI): Women BJP MLAs held a protest in the Vidhan Bhawan complex before the one-day special session of Uttar Pradesh assembly, slamming the opposition for defeating the passage of a bill, which would have led to implementation of the Women's Reservation Law, in the Lok Sabha.
This followed another demonstration by Samajwadi Party MLAs, who alleged that the BJP was misleading public in the name of women's reservation.
The women BJP legislators assembled in front of Chaudhary Charan Singh's statue in the assembly premises, holding banners inscribed with the slogan "Insult to Matrushakti (women's power), India will not tolerate it". The protesting members entered the main hall of Vidhan Bhawan carrying the banners.
Participating in the protest, the state Minister for Women Welfare and Child Development, Baby Rani Maurya, told reporters that all opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, had opposed the women's reservation, a stance for which they would have to pay a heavy political price.
"On this issue, all of us women stand united. We will ensure that we secure our reservation," she said.
BJP MLA Ketki Singh remarked that their protest represents the collective outrage of millions of women across the state.
Singh asserted that the opposition has betrayed women by creating hurdles in the path of women's reservation. The current demonstration is merely the beginning, and very soon, women from every street, intersection and household will join the protest movement, she said.
Minister Vijaylakshmi Gautam said, "We strongly condemn the despicable act committed by the Samajwadi Party and the Congress in an attempt to hold back 'half the population' (women). Their action was directed against the very bill that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had introduced to empower and strengthen Nari Shakti (women's power), and which he strived to pass expeditiously."
Uttar Pradesh assembly is holding a one-day special session on Thursday. During the session, the government is set to move a censure motion against the opposition parties over their failure to pass the Constitution Amendment Bill, which would have led to implementation of the Women's Reservation Act, in the Lok Sabha.
