State records 188 cases of heat rash, stroke and exhaustion

Mumbai: Nearly 188 cases of heat-related health problems including heat rash, exhaustion and heatstroke have been recorded in the state between March and May 7 this year, according to state health department data. The figure may rise till mid-June, according to the department.

Around 114 of the 188 cases have been reported from heat wave-hit Nagpur, Yavatmal, Latur, Buldhana, Nanded and Jalgaon.

Most of these places are in the Vidarbha region, said state surveillance officer, Dr Pradip Awate.

“Barring one heatstroke-related death in Amravati last month, most of the 188 cases of exhaustion, heatstroke and heat rash were minor but needed hospitalisation,” said Dr Awate.

“This is just the middle of May. The rest of May and the whole of June are yet to come and we suspect that heat-related cases will increase if proper care is not taken,” he
added.

A state disaster management authority official said that heat-wave advisories have been issued to vulnerable districts. Mumbaikars, too, are facing sweltering heat these days and temperatures are likely to reach up to 36 degree Celsius. The highest temperature in the state was recorded in Chandrapur i.e. 44.2 degree Celsius.