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With temperatures soaring, the state has seen 23 cases of heatstroke so far, though no fatalities have been confirmed. In view of this, health experts emphasised the urgent need to implement the government’s heatwave action plan, particularly in rural regions where cases and deaths occur frequently.
Since March, Maharashtra has been grappling with heatwave conditions across various districts, resulting in a worrisome tally of 23 heatstroke cases within just 28 days — 10 of which have been recorded in the last 10 days alone. The worst-hit has been Amravati, with three cases reported, and two cases each in Raigad, Pune, Beed, Buldhana and Kolhapur. Additionally, Thane, Ahmednagar, Akola, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Jalgaon, Nanded, and Satara have each reported one case.
No confirmed deaths have been reported in the state. However, there is one suspected death in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where a 30-year-old man reportedly succumbed to heatstroke.
A heatwave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, typically accompanied by high humidity, posing health risks such as heatstroke and dehydration. Heatstroke symptoms need urgent attention: moving the person to a cooler area, offering cold water and applying damp cloth to lower body temperature. Intravenous saline may be needed to restore fluids and electrolytes.
With temperatures hitting 39 degrees Celsius in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, hospitals are seeing a rise in patients showing symptoms of heatstroke daily. Sambhajinagar’s health centres and private hospitals have admitted a total of 100 patients, with dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and headache.
Day by day, Mumbai’s nights are growing warmer, with higher humidity levels than during the day, resulting in nighttime sweating. Meteorologists warned Mumbaikars to brace for scorching daytime temperatures coupled with nighttime humidity.
Tuesday night recorded a humidity level of 76 per cent, in contrast to 62 per cent during the day. Meteorologist Rajesh Kapadia attributes this phenomenon to daytime heat causing humidity to dissipate, only to surge significantly at night, causing discomfort and excessive sweating.
Meanwhile, health activists said it was time to implement the heatwave action plan and training the doctors in treating patients.
Last year, as per the heatwave action plan, it was suggested that employees and labourers aged 50 and above with comorbidities such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and whose work necessitates exposure to sunlight (such as bus drivers and police constables) or heat or fire in factories, should be allocated suitable duty hours, preferably during the cooler morning or evening periods. Likewise, gardens should remain accessible throughout the day, providing shelter, along with water kiosks, for those seeking relief from the heat.
“Despite these directives, the actual implementation remains severely lacking. Visiting MGNREGA workplaces reveals a distressing reality: labourers, including pregnant women, are compelled to toil under the blazing afternoon sun without access to basic amenities like drinking water,” said Bandu Sane, from NGO Khoj that works in Amravati.
The action plan also mandates creation of makeshift ponds for animals, water pots for birds and stray animals.
During a review meeting on March 15, the Commissioner of Health Services, Maharashtra, emphasised the importance of proactive preventive measures to address heat-related illnesses in hospitals and communities.
Doctors have urged people to stay hydrated and avoid stepping out during peak hours. “As the temperatures rise, it’s crucial to prioritise preventive measures to combat the looming heatwave in India. Simple precautions like staying hydrated, seeking shade, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak hours can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses,” said a senior health officer.
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