Alert, India to experience heat waves in next two months

NEW DELHI: Most of the states of the country including Kerala are currently going through severe drought. It is not even possible to go out during the day because of the scorching heat. However, the Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the next two months will be hotter than what it has been for so long. There is also a warning that there is a possibility of heat wave in most parts of Central, East, North and West India in the coming days.

March experienced extreme heat. This is the nation's third warmest April since 1901. The La Nina phenomenon, which favors the Indian monsoon, has also weakened. If in previous years there was occasional summer rain in Kerala, now it is very less. This makes people's lives more difficult. There is severe drought in many places. Even the water bodies which were never dry till now have dried up.

Beware of heat waves
If the maximum temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius in plains, 37 degrees Celsius in coastal areas and 30 degrees Celsius in hilly areas, it is considered a heat wave if it is 4.5 degrees Celsius above the normal temperature. There are many health problems related to heat wave.

Heat Cramp: A heat cramp is a muscle spasm caused by dehydration and electrolyte loss.

Heat exhaustion: This is another condition caused by heat exhaustion. Symptoms include confusion, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, pale skin, unusual sweating, and a fast heartbeat.

Heat stroke: This is a very problematic one. Body temperature is 104*F when the ambient temperature rises above a threshold. This is what causes sunburn. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, red hot dry skin, nausea and vomiting.