What is heatwave?
A heat wave is characterized by high air temperatures that can be dangerous to humans. The temperature thresholds across an area are set quantitatively based on actual or deviation from normal temperatures. In some nations, heat indexes are based on temperature and humidity, whereas others use severe temperature percentiles.
Or in simple language
A heat wave is nothing but a sudden increase in atmospheric temperature due to various factors, which can cause adverse or fatal conditions for human beings. IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) predicts and analyses the conditions of heat waves in various parts of the country.
Criteria for declaring heat wave in India :
Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least
400C or more for Plains and at least 300C or more for Hilly regions.
a) Based on Departure from Normal
Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 4.50C to 6.40C
Severe Heat Wave: Departure from normal is >6.40C
b) Based on Actual Maximum Temperature
Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥ 450C
Severe Heat Wave: When actual maximum temperature ≥470C
If above criteria met at least in 2 stations in a Meteorological sub-division for at least two
consecutive days and it declared on the second day.
Reasons of heat wave:
High atmospheric pressure system:
Heatwaves can develop when high-pressure systems stall over a region. These systems can trap warm air near the Earth's surface and prevent the normal movement of air masses, resulting in extended periods of hot weather.
Global Warming:
The long-term rise in the Earth's average temperature, mostly caused by human activities such as the use of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes, contributes to the frequency and severity of heat waves. Global warming raises average temperatures, increasing the likelihood of intense heat events.
El Nino:
El Niño has a big impact on our weather. The Pacific jet stream shifts south of its neutral location due to the warmer seas. Areas in the northern United States and Canada are warmer and drier than typical due to this trend. However, in the US. The Gulf Coast and Southeast see higher levels of flooding during these wetter’s than typical seasons. El Niño also has a significant impact on marine life off the Pacific coast. Upwelling sends cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface of the ocean during typical conditions. Upwelling decreases in intensity or ceases entirely during El Niño. There are less phytoplankton off the shore when the deep-water nutrients are absent. This has an impact on fish that consume phytoplankton, which has an impact on everything that consumes fish.
Urbanization:
Heat waves may become more frequent as a result of urbanisation as constructed infrastructure, such as roads and buildings, absorbs and reemits solar radiation, replacing natural landscapes. Urban heat islands are places where the temperature might be greater than it is elsewhere.
States which are prone to heat wave:
From March to June, heat waves often affect the plains in northwest, central, east, and north peninsular India. It includes portions of Maharashtra and Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. It occasionally happens in Kerala and Tamilnadu as well. Animal and human life are negatively impacted by heat waves. However, the May high temperatures above 45°C were mostly recorded in the Rajasthan and Vidarabha regions.
Precautions:
1) Avoid going out in the sun, especially between 12.00 noon and 3.00 p.m.
2) Drink sufficient water and as often as possible, even if not thirsty
3) Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, and porous cotton clothes. Use protective
4) Wear goggles, umbrella/hat, shoes or chappals while going out in sun.
5) Avoid strenuous activities when the outside temperature is high.
6) Avoid worrking outside between 12 noon and 3 p.m.
7) While travelling, carry water with you.
8) Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated soft drinks, which dehydrates the body.
9) Avoid high-protein food and do not eat stale food.
10) If you work outside, use a hat or an umbrella and use a damp cloth on your
head, neck, face,and limbs
11) Do not leave children or pets in parked vehicles
12) If you feel faint or ill, see a doctor immediately.
13) Use ORS, homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water, buttermilk,
etc. which helps to re-hydrate the body.
14) Keep animals in shade and give them plenty of water to drink.
15) Keep your home cool, use curtains, shutters or sunshade and open windows at
16) night.
17) Use fans, damp clothing and take bath in cold water frequently
Health conditions occurs dur to heat wave:
Sunburn:
Symptoms:
Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever and headaches
First aid:
Shower with soap to get rid of any oils that might clog pores and stop the body from cooling down naturally. If blisters appear, get medical treatment and use sterile, dry dressings.
Heat cramps:
Symptoms:
Painful spasms usually in leg and abdominal muscles or extremities.
Heavy sweating.
First aid:
Go to a cool, shady area. To release spasm, gently massage the cramping muscles or apply strong pressure. Give a few water sips. If you feel queasy, stop.
Heat exhaustion:
Symptoms:
Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale, headache and clammy. Weak
pulse. Normal temperature possible. Fainting, vomiting
First aid:
1) Assist the sufferer to lie down in a cool spot. Tighten your clothes. Apply a damp, cold cloth.
2) Turn on a fan or take the sufferer somewhere cool.
3) Take calm, steady sips of water, and stop if you feel queasy.
4) If you have vomiting, get medical help right away. alternatively dial 108 and 102 to reach an ambulance.
Heat stroke(sun stroke):
Symptoms:
High body temperature (106+F). Hot, dry skin. Rapid, strong pulse.
Possible unconsciousness. Victim will likely not sweat
First aid:
A serious medical emergency is heat stroke. For emergency medical assistance, dial 108 and 102 for an ambulance, or transport the person straight to the hospital. A delay may be lethal. Transfer the sufferer to a colder location. To lower body temperature, try sponging or taking a cold bath. Proceed with utmost caution. Take off your clothes. Make use of air conditioners and/or fans. AVOID GIVING FLUIDS.
Recipes to keep body hydrated:
Lemon water:
Electrolyte ginger lemon beverage:
Create a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice by finely grating one four-inch piece of peeled ginger and pressing it into a fine-mesh sieve. Add the ginger juice to 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 teaspoons raw honey, 1/8 teaspoon sea salt and two 3/4 cups of water or coconut water.
Strawberry basil drink:
To make a full pitcher, add 1 pint of sliced strawberries to 10 torn fresh basil leaves, one sliced lemon and 2 quarts of water. Refrigerate and enjoy.
Fruit-infused water:
Like the recipe above, add slices of your favorite fruit to water for a refreshing drink. The flavor of the fruit encourages you to drink more, and you’ll get the added benefits of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.
Kokum juice:
Soak dried kokum fruit in water for 1-2 hours. Mash and strain the water, and keep it aside. Add candy sugar, black salt, roasted cumin powder to the leftover kokum fruit and cook on low flame, till the sugar melts. Then, add the kokum water, and boil the mixture for another 5-6 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool. Strain it. You can add chilled water to this mixture to get relief from the heat.
Cucumber juice:
Peel, cut and mash the cucumber and strain the contents to enjoy a refreshing drink to cool your insides. You can squeeze some lime juice into this to give the cucumber juice a tangy taste.
Aam ka panha:
Wash and boil two medium-sized raw mangoes in water. Once it becomes soft, peel it and blend it to form a thick paste. Heat this mix; add the jaggery, black salt, pepper and cumin seeds to it. Allow this mix to cook for 15-20 minutes. Take off the fire, and let it cool. Add a few spoons of the mix to water. Garnish the juice with mint leaves.
Aloe vera juice:
Most people easily grow aloe vera at home, and so have ready access to the leaves. Carefully extract aloe vera gel from an aloe vera leaf. Add two tbsp. of aloe vera gel with honey, salt, ginger and two glasses of water and blend it. Squeeze the lemon over the mix and stir. Your juice is ready to drink!
How to protect environment:
Increase shade around your home:
By producing shade and allowing for evapotranspiration, planting trees and other plants helps to reduce air and surface temperatures. Directly shading your home with trees and other plants will help you use less air conditioning, which will save your energy costs and make your house more pleasant. Additionally, trees improve the health of your family by lowering UV radiation exposure, lowering air pollution, and offering comfortable shade for outdoor activities.
Install green roofs:
A vegetative layer cultivated on a rooftop is referred to as a rooftop garden or green roof. In addition to providing shade, green roofs lower air temperatures by removing heat from the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. Green roofs serve as insulators for your house, absorbing heat and lowering the amount of energy required for heating and cooling—thereby cutting your energy costs, increasing indoor comfort, and lessening the stress that comes with heat waves.
Install cool roofs:
In order to lower roof temperatures, cool (or reflective) roofs aid in reflecting heat from the sun and away from your house. As a result, you can keep your house cooler and use less air conditioning on hot days. A Californian research (1) found that cool roofs can save around fifty cents per square foot on energy costs annually. These energy-saving measures can also lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions into the environment and improved local air quality.
Check on your friends, family, and neighbors:
Heat waves can pose a threat to people's health and well-being, especially to the young, old, unwell, and underprivileged. Preventing heat-related diseases and deaths may be achieved by keeping an eye on your friends, family, and neighbours on hot days and ensuring sure they have access to air conditioning or cooling centres.
Important Note:
Drink plenty of water and increase the body fluid levels .
Avoid going out in the sun, especially between 12.00 noon and 3.00 p.m.
Use ORS, homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water, buttermilk,
etc. which helps to re-hydrate the body.
Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated soft drinks, which dehydrates the body. Avoid high-protein food and do not eat stale food.
Use light coloured and cotton clothes in summer .also cover your head and eyes with sunglasses and caps apply sunscreen (SPF 30 and SPF50 to your face and body .
Reference:
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