Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya, is set to lead a crucial meeting on Wednesday to assess the country’s readiness to deal with heat-related illnesses and heat waves as the summer season approaches. The meeting will gather representatives from various key agencies including NITI Aayog, the Directorate General of Health Services, the Indian Council of Medical Research, and leading medical institutions like AIIMS New Delhi, Safdarjung Hospital, and RML Hospital. The aim is to review strategies and action plans to combat the anticipated challenges posed by soaring temperatures.
Weather Outlook and Concerns
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings indicating that many regions across the country are expected to experience above-normal maximum temperatures from April to June. Furthermore, it predicts 10-20 days of heatwaves in different parts of the nation. The Director General of Meteorology, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, emphasized the likelihood of higher-than-average temperatures, particularly in central and western India, while certain areas like the western Himalayas, northeast states, and north Odisha may witness normal to below-normal temperatures.
Preparation and Alertness
Highlighting the importance of preparedness, Union Minister for Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijijiu, emphasized the need for vigilance and readiness in the face of projected extreme heatwaves over the next few months. He underlined the significant enhancements in preparedness measures undertaken in recent years to mitigate the impact of such weather extremes.
Understanding Heatwaves
A heatwave is characterized by a prolonged period of unusually high temperatures during both the day and night. According to IMD criteria, a station’s maximum temperature must reach at least 40 degrees Celsius for plains and 30 degrees Celsius for hilly regions to classify as a heatwave. The most susceptible regions to heightened heatwave conditions include Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, North Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, North Chattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
Forecasted Rainfall and Regional Variances
IMD forecasts normal rainfall across the country in April, ranging from 88-112% of the Long Period Average (LPA), which historically stands at approximately 39.2 mm. While parts of the northwest, central, and north peninsular India may experience normal to above-normal rainfall, the east and west coasts, as well as certain areas in the northeast and south peninsular India, are likely to witness below-normal rainfall.
As the country braces itself for the upcoming summer season, government agencies are intensifying efforts to ensure effective preparedness, timely response, and public awareness to mitigate the adverse effects of heatwaves and associated health risks.
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