Heatwave: Health Ministry to come out with advisory

NEW DELHI: Amidst the unprecedented heatwave which has swept many parts of the country claiming more than 750 lives, the Health Ministry is likely to come out with an advisory for the first time for all the states on preventive measures to tackle the situation.

The Health Ministry has also assured Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, two of the worst hit states where the scorching heat has claimed 551 and 226 lives respectively, of all help and medical aid to cope up with the situation.

Health Ministry officials said that the advisory would be for all the states as well as people in general on various "dos and don'ts" to cope up with the extreme conditions.

"This year, the heatwave condition is unprecedented and there has been a large number of deaths. The Health Ministry is likely to come up with an advisory soon for all the states and common people," a senior health Ministry official told PTI.

Health Minister J P Nadda who is presently attending the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva also spoke over phone to the Union Health Secretary today and took stock of the situation especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

"He also directed the Secretary to talk to respective state Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and provide them with all help and medical aid, if there is a need," the senior official said.

The sizzling heat wave sweeping over many parts of the country had claimed the lives of 207 more people yesterday taking the overall toll to 757, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana bearing the brunt.

Besides Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, sweltering conditions persisted in Delhi, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal with temperature hovering around 45 degrees Celsius in most places in these states.

According to the Meteorological department, heatwave conditions will prevail in several parts of the state.