Mumbai: The state government has issued a heat-wave advisory to all district administrations and suggested changes to the office and school timings.
Several parts of the state, including Mumbai, have been experiencing scorching heat, due to dry and hot northerly winds from Madhya Pradesh.
The government issued the alert after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted an above-average rise in the temperature across Vidarbha and Marathwada in April and May.
The advisory asked the district collectors to implement precautionary measures. The Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the state has also launched an awareness campaign at the local level to prevent heat-related casualties.
The authorities have warned district administrations about possible high temperatures, especially in May. IMD western region deputy director general K.S. Hosalikar told The Asian Age, “IMD has predicted a steady rise in the temperature across Maharashtra… The entire Vidarbha, Marathwada and parts of northern Maharashtra are likely to experience higher temperatures in the coming weeks.”
IMD scientist A. Kumar said, “Temperatures can witness a slight rise maybe next week as the wind direction is probable to change leading to moisture supply which is going to be less.”
A DMU official said, “The municipal corporations of these areas have changed the office timings and have also taken other measures to avoid casualties owing to the heat wave. “When the temperature rises by 5 degrees Celsius above average for two consecutive days, it is considered a heat wave and the administration declares a high alert. The advisory talks about the ‘dos and don’ts’ for the administrations and the citizens. Besides office timings, the administrations have also been advised to appoint nodal officers to implement the plan. The administrations have been directed to keep temples and public places open in the afternoon,” the officer said.
The meteorological department issued a heat-wave warning for some parts of Maharashtra. IMD’s Colaba observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 33 degrees C, which was 0.4 degrees above normal, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 33.7 degrees C, which was 0.7 degrees above normal. C respectively.
City gets some respite from sun
The city saw a decrease in temperatures on Thursday after three days of scorching weather. The maximum temperature recorded for Thursday was 32.6 degrees, 3 degrees lower than the preceding days and one degree lower than the normal average. The minimum temperature recorded for the day was 23.4 degrees, two degrees lower than the average.
Dos and Don'ts
- People should increase their intake of fruits and fluids
- Avoid wandering out in the afternoons.
- They should consume warm water to avoid bacteria
- Avoid dark clothes
- Avoid junk food.
