General Elections 2024: Safety Measures To Combat The Heat Wave Amid Election Campaigns

The scorching heat can not only make us fall ill but also our body might go through several complications which unknowingly damages our internal organs, skin and eyes.

The General Elections are around the corner and campaigning is going on in full swing. Roadshows are being held by the candidates in their respective states as part of the election campaign, but the summer heat spares none. A few days back, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan fell sick after walking for 20 kilometres. He was suffering from high fever and was advised bed rest by the doctors. In Kolkata, too, leaders are doing roadshows amid this heat pointing out that the temperatures will increase later and hence its better to start off early.

"If it is so hot now, one can imagine how the weather would be at the end of April and May. It will be difficult to motivate workers to step out during the day. So we want to cover as much ground as possible before it gets hotter," a Trinamool MLA told The Times Of India.

In this hot summer season, it is important to take care of the overall health of candidates, supporters and the voters. The scorching heat can not only make them fall ill but also their body might go through several complications, which unknowingly damages internal organs, skin and eyes.

Dietary Suggestions To Maintain Health Amid Election Campaigns:

To prevent serious medical complications, during election campaigns, one must focus on adopting certain precautionary measures that will help them stay fit and healthy. Dr Payel Kumar Roy, Chief Dietician & Critical Care Nutritionist, at Techno India DAMA Hospital & Healthcare Medical Centre shared with ABP Live some crucial dietary suggestions for maintaining a healthy body during this time.

She said, "One needs to consume light and easy foods as their daily diet. Such foods and drinks protect against dehydration and help in maintaining the optimal levels of energy."

"Avoid fried and junk foods as they take time to digest and require a lot of water. Spicy foods can also increase body heat," she added.

Summers can be exhausting and can leave one feeling drained out and going from one place to another for election campaigns can seem to be a mammoth task during this time.

To make things seem less exhausting, Dr Payel Kumar Roy said, "Nothing is better than refreshing oneself with quick and tasty drinks. Fruit juices like watermelon, lemon, and cucumber can be added to the diet. All these may vary in nutritional value but most of them have a variety of health benefits. They contain various antioxidants which help to reduce the risk of certain health issues and vitamins that help the body to function well."

Tips To Maintain Eye Health In This Summer Heat:

While campaigning for the Lok Sabha Election in the summer season most of the people are affected with dehydration, heat stroke and skin darkening. Apart from these, the common eye problems that one faces when the temperatures rise are allergies, conjunctivitis and stye. Protection and proper eye hygiene can help prevent excessive heat driven eye problems. 

Dr Abhishek Kayal from Disha Eye Hospitals Kolkata shared some valuable suggestions with ABP Live regarding the eye related problems which an individual can encounter due to rising temperature outside with the remedies related to this. 

He said, "People who suffer from allergic diseases like asthma, eczema, etc are more prone to eye allergy. Common allergens are diesel exhaust, cigarette smoke, and perfumes. These cause our eyes to release histamine that in turn makes your eye swell, become watery, and turn red."

"In such circumstances, the patients are advised to rinse their eyes repeatedly with either cold or warm water, and then to wipe it gently with a soft tissue," he added.

Suggesting another natural remedy Dr Kayal said, "Rose water is another natural remedy that has been used through the ages. Use 3 to 4 drops of rose water in both your eyes. Shut your eyes for around 5 minutes so that its full effects can take place."

Other Safety Measures To Combat Adverse Effect Of Heat Wave: 

Dr. Indranil Chakrabarti, who is a Senior Resident Doctor Barasat Medical College suggested the following ways with ABP Live, to combat adverse effects of heat wave.

• Avoid strenuous physical activity if you can. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 and 7:00.


• Take cool showers or baths. Alternatives include cold packs and wraps, towels, sponging, foot baths, etc.


• Wear light, loose-fitting clothes of natural materials. If you go outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap and sunglasses.


• Use light bed linen and sheets, and no cushions, to avoid heat accumulation.


• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein


• Try to get help if you feel dizzy, weak, anxious or have intense thirst and headache; move to a cool place as soon as possible and measure your body temperature.


• Rest immediately in a cool place if you have painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen, in many cases after sustained exercise during very hot weather), and drink oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes. Medical attention is needed if heat cramps last more than one hour.

If any candidate or karyakarta or voter seems to suffer from hot dry skin and delirium, convulsions and/or unconsciousness, it is important to call a doctor/ambulance immediately.

"While waiting for help, move the person to a cool place, put him or her in a horizontal position and elevate legs and hips, remove clothing and initiate external cooling, for example, by placing cold packs on the neck, axillae and groin, fanning continuously and spraying the skin with water at 25–30 °C. Measure the body temperature and do not give acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol," added Dr. Indranil.