Aapda-Samvaad

Interview: Dr. N. M. Rathi on Heat Wave

 #BeatTheHeatIndia

Heat wave is a quiet disaster. It arrives gradually, stays for a long period and kills silently. It is very important to prepare for these killer waves much before they arrive. To know more about heat waves and how to prepare to deal with them, AapdaSamvaad spoke with Dr. N. M. Rathi, public health specialist, Nagpur Municipal Corporation.
Q. Heat wave can prove to be fatal. What preparations should people living in heat-prone regions do to reduce its adverse impact?
A. People living in heat-prone regions should keep a watch on daily temperature forecast during the heat wave season, which typically begins by the middle of March and stays till June, even extending up to July in some cases. If the maximum temperature is predicted to be 43 degrees and above, they should avoid stepping out between 12 noon and 4 PM. If it's important to go out, they must wear cover their head with a dupatta/hat/helmet/umbrella. They should drink ad…

Killer Heat Waves: 2018 Action Plan

#BeatTheHeatIndia

A major part of India battles heat wave conditions every year. During the heat wave period between April and June, many States witness temperatures rising up to 40 degrees Celsius and above and staying put the entire season. This period of extremely hot weather over several days to weeks combined with high humidity levels makes for a deadly combination and may even result in deaths. 

Reports about rescheduled summer holidays in schools and melting tar on the roads make headlines annually. So do the deaths induced by it every year. The numbers, however, vary from report to report for lack of accurate data.
"Most of the time, only very obvious cases of death due to direct heat stroke, in which the affected person dies within a few hours, are reported as a heat wave related death. Such cases are often reported among those who are exposed to sunlight for long hours. The more common form is indirect heat stroke, which majorly affects …

Preparing Jamnagar for CBRN emergencies


CBRN emergencies, which pertain to threats emanating due to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear material, have become a reality with rapid industrialisation and technological advancements across the world. These may occur because of human error, accidental exposure, terrorist attacks and sabotage besides being triggered as a secondary disaster after an earthquake, cyclone, etc.

Handling CBRN emergencies need specialised skills and efforts, and coordination among all stakeholders. Even a small CBRN related event can cause panic among people.
CBRN disasters, though few and far between, can cause immense immediate as well as long-term losses to both lives and property. It is, therefore, important to ensure the preparedness and resilience of vulnerable establishments.
Strengthening the capacity of local resources to swiftly and efficiently respond to such situations is critical to containing the losses. Conducting regular Mock Exercises is a…