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Heatstroke Took 374 Lives, Over 67,000 Cases Till July 27: Health Ministry

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India has reported 374 deaths and 67,637 cases of suspected heatstroke from March 1 to July 27 this year, according to Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel. The alarming figures were disclosed in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The latest data reveals a significant increase from the earlier estimates provided by the Ministry of Health, which reported 110 deaths and 42,000 cases by June 18. The majority of these incidents occurred in rural areas, where strenuous outdoor work associated with agriculture and poor health infrastructure exacerbated the impact of the heatwave. Uttar Pradesh was the worst-hit state, recording 52 deaths. Bihar followed with 37 fatalities, while Odisha and Delhi reported 26 and 25 deaths respectively. These statistics were compiled under the National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Government Response and Measures The Integrated Health Information Portal has been receiving data on heatstroke cases and deaths from States and Union Territories since 2023, as noted by Minister Patel. State and UT health departments get yearly warnings from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to put awareness, readiness, and response plans into place. The Union Health Ministry’s Secretary communicated with the chief secretaries of all states and UTs on February 29 in order to release this year’s advise. The warning included steps to improve community awareness of heat-related diseases and to bolster health sector readiness. Record-Breaking Temperatures and Weather Anomalies With a blistering 47 degrees Celsius, June 2024 witnessed the hottest temperature recorded in the month in a decade. The hottest temperatures ever recorded in June 2023 were 41.8 degrees Celsius, 44.2 degrees Celsius in 2022, and 43 degrees Celsius in 2021. This is a considerable rise above the prior records. Furthermore, July was the second warmest month overall in India since 1901 and the highest nighttime temperature ever recorded in the country. Significant flooding resulted from the abnormally high rains that followed the record temperatures in various states, including Gujarat, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh. It was the hottest July on record for both mean and lowest temperatures in the east and northeast of India. The terrible heatwave has made it clear how urgently better infrastructure and readiness are needed to deal with extreme weather, especially in rural regions. The growing frequency and intensity of these occurrences highlight the significance of long-term policies to address climate change and its implications on public health, even if the government’s preemptive actions and advisories play a key role in lessening the impact of such heatwaves. Reference taken from the Hindu

Delhi Government Moves Supreme Court Seeking Relief Amid Water Crisis During Heatwave

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The Delhi government has taken the issue of the water crisis amidst scorching heatwave conditions in the national capital to the Supreme Court. In its plea, the AAP-led government has appealed for the release of additional water from neighboring states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh for a month to address the water shortage. The soaring temperatures in Delhi, with some areas reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius, have escalated the demand for water, prompting urgent action from the Delhi government. Emergency measures have been implemented, including banning the use of potable water for car washing and construction activities. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has announced stringent penalties, with fines of Rs 2,000 for wastage of water. Additionally, a war room has been established by the DJB to manage water tanker supply, with citizens urged to contact 1916 for assistance. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for political cooperation, emphasizing the need to prioritize the welfare of Delhi’s residents over partisan interests. He stressed the importance of securing water resources from neighboring states and urged the BJP leaders to collaborate in resolving the crisis. Amid the heatwave, Delhi has also witnessed a record peak power demand, surpassing 8,300 MW for the first time in its history. Despite the unprecedented demand, the power situation in Delhi remains stable, distinguishing it from neighboring areas where residents are grappling with prolonged power cuts. As protests erupt in Noida and Ghaziabad over power outages, Kejriwal highlighted the nationwide challenge posed by the heatwave, emphasizing the need for collective action to mitigate its impact. He underscored Delhi’s relatively stable power supply amidst the crisis, attributing it to effective management by the government. The plea filed by the Delhi government underscores the severity of the situation and seeks urgent intervention to alleviate the water shortage, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure the well-being of Delhi’s residents during the ongoing heatwave.  

Haryana Announces Early Summer Vacation for All Schools Amid Heatwave

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The Haryana government has announced an early start to summer vacation for all schools, including government, government-aided, and private institutions. Effective from May 28, all schools will remain closed until June 30 due to the rising temperatures and severe heatwave conditions. This change in the vacation schedule was communicated by the Directorate of Education, Haryana, in a notice released on May 27. Schools will resume operations on July 1. Initially, the summer vacation was scheduled from June 1 to 30, but the decision to preponed the dates was made considering the current weather conditions, with temperatures soaring to 46 degrees Celsius. The official notice states, “In continuation of the department’s letter number 2/2-2023 ACD (12) dated 17.05.2024, you are informed that in all the schools (government and private) of the state summer vacation is declared from 28.05.2024 to 30.06.2024. All schools will remain closed during the said time period. Apart from this, all the teachers will also ensure to give holiday homework to the students today on 27.05.2024.” In addition to the statewide closure, the government had already shut down all schools in Gurugram from May 27 to 31 due to the extreme heatwave. Summer vacations in Gurugram will start from June 1 and end on June 30, with academic activities resuming on July 1. The heatwave has affected several northern states, including Himachal Pradesh, with warnings and red alerts issued for Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. These alerts indicate a high risk of heat-related illnesses and heat strokes across all age groups. Consequently, schools in states like Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan are also closed to protect students from the extreme heat.  

Early Summer Break Announced for Government Schools Due to Heatwave

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News on Education

In response to the prevailing heatwave, the school education department has issued a notice announcing an early start to the summer vacation in government and government-aided schools. Originally scheduled to commence on May 6, the summer break will now begin on April 22, Monday, with schools set to reopen on June 3. Key Points from the Notice: Exemption for Hill Areas: Schools in the hill areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts will continue with their existing academic schedule and are exempted from the early summer break. Arrangements for Extra Classes: Teaching and non-teaching staff have been instructed to make necessary arrangements for extra classes after schools reopen to compensate for the lost time. Applicability to Staff: The early break applies to both teachers and non-teaching staff, who will remain on leave as a special case, subject to directions from election authorities due to the Lok Sabha polls. Communication with Affiliated Boards: The school education department has notified the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) regarding the early summer break and requested their cooperation. An education department official highlighted the prevailing heatwave conditions and emphasized the importance of prioritizing student safety by avoiding school attendance. In past years, private schools have been urged to align with government directives regarding summer breaks due to extreme heat. The department underscores the necessity of compensatory classes to ensure students are adequately prepared for summative examinations amidst the shortened academic calendar. The decision to extend the summer vacation reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding student well-being during periods of extreme weather.