Health Ministry issues advisory to states amid ongoing heatwave

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Sunday issued an advisory to the chief secretary of states amid the rising temperature and heatwave in parts of the countryHe informed that the daily heat alerts which are being shared by India Meteorological Department IMD as well as National Centre for Disease Control NCDC with States indicate forecast of heatwave for the next 34 days and may be disseminated promptly at the districthealth facility levelBhushan has asked states to disseminate guidelines on the National Action Plan on HeatRelated Illnesses at the district levelStates should sensitise all health staff on early recognition and management of heat illness he wroteHe asked to make sure the availability of sufficient drinking water at all health facilities and the continued functioning of cooling appliances in critical areasHealth facilities should prepare and review the availability of IV fluids ice packs ORS and all necessary items the health secretary saidBhushan underlined the need for the health facilities to increase resilience to extreme heat by arranging uninterrupted electricity for the constant functioning of cooling appliances and measures to reduce indoor heatHowever the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted thunderstorms and dust storms from Monday hoping to bring some respite to the people from the heatwaveWestern disturbances are near PakistanAfghanistan and are moving towards Delhi and thunderstorms or dust storms are likely to be experienced in northwest India senior scientist at IMD RK Jenamani told ANIWe are giving thunderstorms and dust storms warning for the whole of northwest India covering Rajasthan Punjab Haryana Delhi and West Uttar Pradesh Cloudy weather or dust rising winds will continue till May 5 From May 1 to 5 the temperature will be normal No heatwave will be there he saidHowever the monsoon will commence by May 15 as per the latest predictions by the weather officeThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever