NEW DELHI: In response to intense heatwave conditions affecting various regions of the country, the Centre issued a comprehensive public health advisory on Monday. The advisory warns against prolonged exposure to extreme heat and urges immediate precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Issued by the Ayush under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, the advisory emphasizes that certain groups—including infants, the elderly, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic illnesses like heart disease and hypertension—are at greater risk during heatwaves.
Citizens are advised to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours, wear loose cotton clothing, and consume fluids rich in electrolytes. Warning signs of heat-related illnesses include dizziness, nausea, dehydration, fainting, seizures, and elevated body temperature, with heatstroke classified as a medical emergency.
The advisory comes amid persistently high temperatures in many states, raising concerns about heat stress among vulnerable populations, particularly outdoor workers. It includes special instructions for workplaces, public gatherings, and sporting events, recommending shaded rest areas, regular hydration breaks, and awareness measures for the early identification of heat stress symptoms.
In addition to standard precautions, the advisory incorporates traditional wellness practices from Ayurveda, Siddha, Yoga, Unani, and Homeopathy. Recommended practices involve consuming buttermilk, coconut water, and lemon-based drinks, along with cooling foods such as cucumber, watermelon, musk melon, ash gourd, and tomatoes. Yoga-based breathing techniques, like Sheetali Pranayama, are also suggested to alleviate heat stress.
The Centre encourages individuals to regularly monitor heatwave alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and to seek immediate medical assistance through emergency helplines 108 or 102 in severe cases.
