Hot Weather & Lockdown
Winters this year went on longer in some parts of the country, and as if lockdown wasn’t enough, now summer is here — and its hotter than before.
As North India looks back at a longer-than-expected winter and some disturbances from the west that brought sleet and hail in February and early March. Summer heat has arrived early the past few years across India. Each year since 2016, there have been high temperatures in excess of 38°C in New Delhi and most of India during the second half of March.
India endures lengthy heat waves each year before monsoons arrive, during which time over 6,000 heat-related deaths have been reported since 2010.
There are many precautions that can be taken to stay safe during unusually-warm weather that can cause a variety of heat-related illnesses. Wearing light clothing, staying hydrated when you’re on the move and avoiding intense physical activity in peak afternoon heat (the hottest time of the day) are the easiest ways to avoid a heat stroke.
Those who are at highest risk include people 65 and older, children younger than two, and people with chronic diseases or mental illness.
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It’s equally important to take care of pets too. Visit the vet for a spring or early-summer checkup. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm if they aren’t on year-round preventative medication.
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot or humid outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful not to over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.
While the country is experiencing a long lockdown because of Coronavirus disease, and we all have reasons to hate this forced exile, I urge to think of poor urban neighborhoods which are more vulnerable to the extended effects of heat and while high and low-income neighborhoods both have heat going up during the day, one’s ability to afford air conditioning (AC), avoid strenuous activities outdoors and presence of shade make a difference in coping with the heat exposure.
Normally, people might have gone out for a stroll in cooler outdoor temperatures or sat in front of their houses, but that’s not possible at the moment. With limited ventilation possibilities in low-socioeconomic houses staying indoors in such (high heat) conditions is not comfortable and even risky for a long period of time.
Remember, these hard times are not going to stay forever. Pray for the well being of economically weaker sections of the society, elders and young children and your own situation will appear much more comfortable.
Stay Home, Stay Safe!
