Heatwave: 8 Hospitalised In Odisha As Parts Of India Witness Temperatures Soar Above 44 Degrees Celsius

The Director of Public Health promptly issued a new set of guidelines after eight individuals were hospitalised in Odisha due to heat-related illnesses.

Image used for representational purpose only | Director of Public Health Odisha has announced the issuance of guidelines to all districts on strategies to combat the summer heat after eight people were admitted to hospital.

Source : PTI

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday informed that heatwave conditions were reported at some parts over Rayalaseema, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, at isolated pockets over Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, east Telangana, Interior Odisha and North Interior Tamil Nadu. Rayalaseema witnessed the highest maximum temperature of 44.5°C over the station Nandyal.

2. Heat wave conditions reported at some parts over Rayalaseema, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, at isolated pockets over Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, east Telangana, Interior Odisha and North Interior Tamil Nadu.

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) April 6, 2024

"Max. temperature is in the range of 40-44°C over many parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Interior Odisha; at some parts over east Jharkhand,  Gangetic West Bengal and Isolated pockets over southeast UP and Saurashtra, these are above normal by 2-4°C," it stated.

3. Max. temp. are in the range of 40-44°C over many parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Interior Odisha; at some parts over east Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Isolated pockets over southeast UP and Saurashtra, these are above normal by 2-4°C.

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) April 6, 2024

The maximum temperature in Odisha exceeded 43 degrees Celsius, with 21 locations recording temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. Angul, an industrial town in central Odisha, experienced the highest temperature at 43.5 degrees Celsius, followed closely by Malkangiri (43.2 degrees Celsius), Titlagarh, and Boudh (both 43 degrees Celsius). Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the twin cities, registered maximum temperatures of 39.6 and 40.1 degrees Celsius, respectively.

8 Hospitalised In Odisha Due To Heat-Related Illnesses

A fresh guideline was followed by the Director of Public Health after eight people were admitted to different hospitals in Odisha due to heat-related illnesses.

Dr. Niranjan Mishra, Director of Public Health Odisha reported that from Friday evening until Saturday afternoon, five people were admitted to hospitals in Angul district due to excessive exposure to the sun and heat. Additionally, one case each was reported in Khurda, Mayurbhanj, and Sundergarh districts. However, no report of any death due to sunstroke has been reported so far, he said, news agency PTI reported.

Dr. Mishra further stated that hospital authorities statewide have been instructed to ensure readiness to treat patients suffering from heatstroke. Special beds and an ample supply of medicines have been arranged at primary health centers (PHCs), community health centers (CHCs), and district headquarters hospitals (DHHs) for this purpose.

As per ANI, Dr Niranjan Mishra underlined, "The temperature is rising in Odisha. We have to remain prepared for all heat-related illnesses. This heat-related illness is the spectrum of diseases that can include heat exhaustion and heat cramps. We have issued guidelines to all districts on what has to be done and we have recently conducted a training of doctors covering all the districts."

He further remarked that the heat wave is expected to remain for 18 days in Odisha this year, compared to 14 days last year. "Due to high temperatures, there can be loss of body fluid. There can be a drop in blood pressure and this can reach extreme fatigue, vomiting, and the patient can go to shock and become unconscious," he added.

Rain To Bring Down Heat In Odisha On Sunday, IMD Predicts

Notably, IMD forecasted on Saturday that there would be "no major change" in Odisha's temperature over the following day. However, because of the rain, the Met Department forecast a drop in temperature on April 7 and 8.

As Odisha braces for an intense heatwave, authorities remain on high alert, urging residents to take precautionary measures against the harsh season. The IMD had previously issued a heatwave warning for the state, forecasting temperatures to exceed 40-45 degrees Celsius in many areas.

According to ANI, Umashankar Das, Senior Scientist IMD Bhubaneswar stated, "Several parts of Odisha recorded 40 degree Celsius and above on Friday. The highest temperature has been recorded at Boudh and Malkangiri. Seven stations have recorded 41 degrees Celsius and above. We are expecting a further 2-degree rise in the coming two days. We have issued a yellow warning for heat waves. Night temperature will also likely rise by 2 to 3 degrees celsius."

He added that coastal Odisha is going to experience hot and humid conditions."People are advised not to go out between 11 am and 3 pm. As it is election season it should be monitored. People are advised to take plenty of liquid. Farmers are advised to drizzle water over their vegetables and food crops," he further added.