What IMD’s heat wave ‘red alert’ means for Delhi, Punjab and other parts of north India | News explained

What is a heat wave warning and how is it issued?

The IMD website states: “Qualitatively speaking, a heat wave is a condition of air temperature that is fatal to the human body when exposed to it.” Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds in a region in defined in terms of the actual temperature or its deviation from normal.”

Therefore, for each region, a heat wave is determined based on the extent of deviation from usual temperatures. “A heat wave is considered when the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for plains and at least 30°C or more for hilly regions,” the IMD said. In coastal areas, this occurs when the maximum temperature deviation is 37°C or more than normal.

Such temperatures must be recorded at least at two stations in a meteorological subarea on at least two consecutive days. On the second day, a heat wave is declared.

And what is a severe heat wave?

If the prevailing temperature is 4.5°C to 6.4°C above normal, it is called a heat wave. An increase of more than 6.4°C is considered a severe heat wave. May is the month with the highest heat wave in India.

Heatwaves are affecting Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Sometimes they are also found in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Maximum temperatures above 45°C are mainly observed in Rajasthan and Vidarbha region in May.

What is a red heat alert?

A red alert refers to a warning of extreme heat. This means that a severe heat wave lasts longer than two days or the total number of hot/severe heat days is more than six days.

According to IMD, “there is a very high chance of developing heat illness and heat stroke at any age.” Extreme caution should be exercised around vulnerable people such as the elderly, young children and those with chronic illnesses. According to reports, the Chandigarh government is affected Considers closing schools under these conditions until noon.

In particular, a US-based group of climate scientists called Climate Central said that human-caused climate change had made this intense heat much more likely. According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 1,66,000 people died as a result of heat waves between 1998 and 2017.

Here’s what the full spectrum of heatwave warnings says:

Heat wave warnings based on color. (Via IMD website)

What precautions are there during heat waves?

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the following measures can be taken to minimize the impact of a heat wave:

*Avoid going out in the sun, especially between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

*If working outside, wear a hat or umbrella and apply a damp cloth to your head, neck, face and limbs.

*Drink enough water as often as possible, even when you are not thirsty.

*Wear light, light, loose and porous cotton clothing. Wear goggles, umbrella/hat, shoes or chappals when out in the sun.

*Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks as they dehydrate the body. Instead drink ORS, homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water, buttermilk etc.

How should heat stroke be treated?

If a person has suffered sunstroke, they should do the following:

*Place the person in a cool place in the shade. Wipe with a damp cloth/wash body frequently. Pour normal temperature water on the head. The main goal is to reduce body temperature.

*Give the person ORS/Lemon Sharbat/Torani or other liquids useful for hydrating the body.

*Take the person to the nearest health center immediately. Medical attention is required as heat strokes can be fatal.