Tipping point: Centre cautions health dept against rising heat

Jaipur: The Union government has alerted the state health department about the possibility of intense heat wave conditions in the state.
The alert suggests that heat waves could continue for 10 to 20 days as per a forecast issued for April to June, which is significantly longer than the typical duration of 4 to 8 days.
State health department has been advised to prepare treatment and prevention strategies to address heat related cases.
Health department has alerted its officials across the state as heatwaves could take a toll on the health of the people. Individuals with pre-existing chronic conditions affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver are at a higher risk of emergency visits and fatalities during a heatwave. Vulnerable populations include the elderly, those taking blood pressure medication, pregnant women, infants, and children. These groups may experience a range of issues, from mild heat rash to severe heat stroke.
Health department has developed a system to circulate weather alerts being received from India Meteorological Department (IMD) and plan accordingly to treat and prevent heat related emergencies and cases. "Heat stroke is a potentially fatal manifestation of severe and prolonged heat exposure, requiring time-critical emergency care involving rapid, aggressive cooling and supportive critical care. We are continuously updating doctors and health officials in districts about the heatwave," said Dr Sushil Kumar Parmar, additional director, (hospital administration), health department.
In Rajasthan, a heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40°C in the plains and 30°C in hilly regions. The criteria for declaring a heat wave are based on the deviation from normal temperatures. A heatwave is declared when the deviation is between 4.5°C and 6.4°C, while a severe heat wave is declared when the deviation exceeds 6.4°C. Another criterion, applicable only to the plains, is based on the actual maximum temperature. For a heat wave to be officially declared, these criteria must be met for at least two stations in a meteorological subdivision for a minimum of two consecutive days, with the declaration being made on the second day.