Delhi Heatwave: National capital sizzles as temperature soars to 47.8 degrees in Najafgarh; Things you should consider before going out

The extreme heat made even daily tasks difficult in large parts of India on Sunday. The temperature in Najafgarh in south-west Delhi reached 47.8 degrees Celsius, the highest in the country so far this season. This extreme heat has troubled low-income families, where there is often little access to water and cooling water, and the stamina of laborers working under the scorching sun is tested.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported severe heat in parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Even the hill stations of Himachal Pradesh are struggling with the scorching heat. There will be intense heat and heat waves throughout North India, especially in Delhi NCR, for the next 4 days. In this sequence, the Disaster Management Authority has issued a guide of "what to do and what not to do" in public interest to prevent heatwave.

What to do to protect yourself from heatwave

• Keep an eye on heatwave or heat wave warnings.
• Drink as much water as possible. Drink water even if you are not thirsty.
• Wear light colored sweat-absorbing cotton clothes.
• Use sunglasses, umbrella, hat and slippers while going out of the house.
• If you work in the open, cover your head, face, hands and feet with a wet cloth. Use an umbrella to protect yourself from strong sunlight.
• Make the person affected by heat stroke lie down in the shade, wipe it with a wet cotton cloth or bathe him and contact the doctor immediately.
• Keep drinking water with you while travelling. Eat raw onion and also keep it in your upper pocket.
• Use ORS, home made beverages like lassi, raw mango powder, tamarind water, rice water, lemon water, buttermilk etc., so that the lack of water in the body can be compensated.
• To recognize the symptoms of heat stroke, heat rash, heat camp like weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, sweating, fainting etc.

What to avoid during heatwave? 

• Never leave animals and children alone in closed/parked vehicles.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight between 11 pm and 04 pm. To avoid the heat of the sun, stay on the lower floor of the house as far as possible.
• Do not wear heavy and tight dark colored clothes.
• Do not do strenuous work when the outside temperature is high.
• Do not consume excess protein and stale and infected food and drinks.