It's hot! The city has been recording above normal temperatures, and according to the forecast by the India Meteorological Department, we are looking at a scorching summer ahead. This means the coming days are only going to get hotter!
A spike in the number of heat-related illnesses is generally recorded when the minimum and maximum temperatures remain high, above normal. Health officials of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), over the yea-rs, have found that though heatwave depends on the max-imum temperature, minim-um temperature also matters as it helps cool things down.
"The night temperature in the summer season has a natural cooling effect. However, when the night temperature also remains above normal, it makes things worse for the citizens. Thus, it gives discomforts to people," said Dr Bhavin Solanki, medical officer in-charge, AMC.
The city witnessed a deadly heatwave in 2010. As many as 310 deaths were recorded on May 21 that year when the city recorded maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius. Moreover, 800 deaths were reported during the week of May 20 to 27 that year. A rise in the number of cases of respiratory illnesses and unconsciousness were also reported on May 21.
However, after that, there was a drastic decline in the number of such cases. From this year onward, the AMC has decided to share minimum average temperature with citizens regularly. "We have asked the IMD officials to share the night temperature with us. We will convey the message to people. Heat action plans has saved many morbidity and mortality cases by giving alerts," said Dr Tejas Shah, nodal officer of Heat Action Plan, AMC.
Senior physician Dr Pragnesh Vachharajani said: "There is a ventilation mechanism in our body. When temperature rises, our body sweats to maintain our inner cooling. But when the temperature rises above a certain level, our body's thermo-regulatory system gets disturbed and it stops sweating, which results in the rise of inner temperature, which causes fever, etc." According to Mahesh Palavat, Chief Meteorologist at Skymet Weather, "There remains no respite from warm weather when day and night temperatures are recorded above 43 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius respectively."
FRYING PAN
- Compared to 2010 and post-heat action plan years such as 2014, 2015 and 2016, there is a significant fall in heat-related deaths and illnesses in AMC-run hospitals.
- On May 13 &16, 2016, city recorded maximum and minimum temperature of 44.6 degrees Celsius respectively.
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The city witnessed a deadly heatwave in 2010. As many as 310 deaths were recorded on May 21 that year when the city recorded maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius. Moreover, 800 deaths were reported during the week of May 20 to 27 that year. A rise in the number of cases of respiratory illnesses and unconsciousness were also reported on May 21.
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