Karnataka issues heat stroke advisory: symptoms to watch for and how to stay properly hydrated

“Heat-related illnesses include (from mild to severe)-heat rash (prickly heat), heat oedema (swelling of hands, feet and ankles), heat cramps (muscle cramps), heat tetany, heat syncope (fainting), heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat stress may also exacerbate chronic diseases like cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney diseases,” it adds. Symptoms of heat stress have been outlined as dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headache, extreme thirst, decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine, and rapid breathing, heartbeat.

The health department has advised good hydration, oral rehydration solution (ORS), homemade drinks like lemon water, butter milk/lassi, fruit juices, and comfortable clothing as key to keeping heat strokes at bay.

“Outdoor activities may be scheduled to be completed by 11 am or undertaken after 4 pm. People coming from a cooler climate to a hot climate should allow one week’s time for their bodies to acclimatise to heat and should drink plenty of water,” the advisory says.

“Do not leave children or pets in parked vehicles. Temperatures inside a vehicle could get dangerous,” it adds.

During the summer months from March to May, parts of Karnataka are expected to experience above-normal temperatures, with a strong likelihood of heatwave conditions. According to the summer weather outlook issued by the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, north interior Karnataka and coastal districts are forecast to have above-normal maximum temperatures.

However, in most regions in south interior Karnataka, including Bengaluru and the Malnad region, maximum temperatures are expected to be around normal in the period. Minimum temperatures across the state during the summer months are likely to be above normal. Many parts are expected to witness heatwave conditions lasting from two to 14 days, with the effects being more pronounced in the dry districts of the north interior Karnataka.

Heatwave conditions are anticipated to begin in March in several parts of the state. The centre indicated that a heatwave is likely for two to five days during the month. Forecasts also suggest that there will be above-normal pre-monsoon showers during this period.

The coastal Karnataka region, for which a heatwave alert was issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for multiple days last week, continues to face hot and humid conditions. Forecasts indicate that such conditions are likely to persist until March 5.