The central government on Monday issued a comprehensive public health advisory as several regions in India grapple with intense heatwave conditions. The advisory cautions against prolonged exposure to extreme heat and urges immediate precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Who is at higher risk?
The advisory, released by the Ministry of Ayush under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in coordination with the Ministry of Ayush, highlights that infants, elderly individuals, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and those with chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension are particularly vulnerable during heatwaves.
Precautionary measures
The government advises citizens to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours, wear loose cotton clothing, and consume electrolyte-rich fluids. Symptoms like dizziness, nausea, dehydration, fainting, seizures, and high body temperature are identified as warning signs of heat-related illness. Heatstroke should be treated as a medical emergency.
The advisory comes as temperatures remain above normal in many states, raising concerns about heat stress, especially among vulnerable populations and outdoor workers. Special instructions have been issued for workplaces, public gatherings, and sports events, including shaded rest areas, regular hydration breaks, and awareness measures for early detection of heat stress symptoms.
Traditional wellness measures
In addition to conventional precautions, the advisory incorporates traditional wellness practices from Ayurveda, Siddha, Yoga, Unani, and Homoeopathy systems. Recommended measures include consuming buttermilk, coconut water, and lemon-based drinks, as well as cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, musk melon, ash gourd, and tomatoes. Yoga breathing techniques such as Sheetali Pranayama are suggested to reduce heat stress.
The Centre urges people to regularly monitor heatwave alerts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and seek immediate medical assistance through emergency helplines 108 or 102 in severe cases.
About the Author
Anuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with an 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, simplifying complex health information and crafting engaging narratives through diverse on-ground experience in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, and West UP.
