Context: 

Union Health Minister chaired a  high-level meeting to review preparedness of public health services for heatwaves across the country.

• Many people are suffering from the scorching heat across the country.

Image Source: IMD

About Heat Waves:

• Heat waves are defined as prolonged episodes of extreme temperature over any region.  
• The IMD considers the following factors when determining a heatwave:
• Temperature Thresholds: 
  • (a) Plains: A heatwave is declared in the plains when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius. 
  • (b) Coast: Along the coast, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 37 degrees Celsius. 
  • (c) Hilly Regions: In hilly regions, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 30 degrees Celsius.
• Temperature Deviations from Normal: Alternatively, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature rises by between 4.5 degrees Celsius and 6.4 degrees Celsius above the normal temperature.
• Severe Heatwave: If the maximum temperature departs from the normal by more than 6.4 degrees Celsius, a severe heatwave is declared. This indicates an exceptionally intense and potentially dangerous heat event.
• Extreme Heat: Additionally, a heatwave condition arises when an area records a maximum temperature of more than 45 degrees Celsius and up to 47 degrees Celsius on any given day. 

Formation of Heat Waves:  

• A heatwave is formed when static high pressure is generated in the upper atmosphere over a region for several days up to several weeks.  
• This static high pressure generates a hot mass of air, which is stagnant for many days and weeks, which results in the trapping of more heat that also reduces the convection currents.  
• The high-pressure acts as a barrier and forces the mass of air to sink to the surface of the land that preventing heat from rising.  
• This hot mass of air accumulates only heat and humidity without any trace of precipitation that causes abnormally high temperatures. 

Health Impacts of Heat Waves: 

• The health impacts of Heat Waves typically involve dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke. 
• The signs and symptoms are as follows:  
  • Heat Cramps: Ederna (swelling) and Syncope (Fainting) generally accompanied by fever below 39°C i.e.,102°F.  
  • Heat Exhaustion: Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and sweating.  
  • Heat Stroke: Body temperatures of 40°C i.e., 104°F or more along with delirium, seizures or coma. This is a potential fatal condition. 

Way Forward:  

• Establish Early Warning System and Inter-Agency Coordination to alert residents on predicted high and extreme temperatures.  
• Identifying heat hot spots through appropriate tracking of meteorological data and promoting timely development and implementation of local Heat Action Plans.  
• Further research using sub-district level data to provide separate indices for urban and rural areas to enable more targeted geographical interventions.  
• Popularisation of simple design features such as shaded windows, underground water storage tanks and insulating housing materials.
• Increasing green cover could help mitigate heat waves and urban forest should also need to be increased.

News Source: The Indian Express