Heatwave claims 100 lives across nations; situation worrisome in Bihar, UP: Mansukh Mandaviya

Heatwave in India: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting in the national capital to review preparedness of public health services for heatwaves across the country. 

Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), Dr Rajiv Bahl, NITI Aayog, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), along with India Meteorological Department (IMD) experts were also present at the meeting.

Many people are suffering from the scorching heat across the country.

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Heatwave claims many deaths across several states

As per the sources, Heatwave claimed nearly 100 deaths in two of India’s most populous states,. The deaths happened in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the east, where 45C (113F) temperatures were recorded over the past few days, coupled with humidity.

Recently, two persons amid soaring temperatures in the Gaya district of Bihar died at Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College. Meanwhile, nearly 58 patients were admitted at Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College. 

Health Minister suggest/ review/directed these urgent steps

• A team of experts from the Union Health Ministry, ICMR, IMD and NDMA will visit the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to support them in public health response measures to address heat-related illnesses. 

• Mandaviya has also directed ICMR to conduct research on how to minimise the effect of heat waves on health, with specific short, medium and long-term action plans.

• Direction to Central agencies in terms of the availability of required supplies and hospital infrastructure to provide timely and effective healthcare services.

• Daily surveillance on heat-related illness under National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) has been ensured in all states and districts on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) and all the health facilities. 

• Health Minister further urged states and central agencies to enhance awareness among people regarding preventive measures through multi-media IEC campaigns.

• Minister asked IMD to issue daily weather forecasts in a manner which can be easily interpreted and disseminated.

Schools shut in these states due to heatwave 

The Patna District Magistrate has suspended all academic activities up to Class 12 in Patna due to the ongoing heat wave. The order will remain effective till June 24.

Meanwhile, schools in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and some districts in Tamil Nadu including Chennai will be closed for a few days.

IMD scientist Naresh Kumar also said that Delhi, Punjab and Haryana will witness temperatures up to 40-45 degrees in the upcoming days.

Orange Alert in these stated 

IMD also issued orange alert in states: Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.    

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Meanwhile, Odisha's Sonepur recorded the highest day temperature at 45.6 degrees Celsius. Bhubaneshwar recorded the highest day temperature at 44.6 degrees Celsius, which was above normal by 9.7 degrees Celsius during the last 24 hours.