Heatwave in India: How extreme heat affects our body
India is experiencing extreme heat with no respite in sight.
Most of the country is experiencing a heatwave, with some cities experiencing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has issued heatwave alerts for Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Bundi in Rajasthan recorded a searing 45.2 degrees Celsius, the country’s first of the season.
Prayagraj and Hamirpur in Uttar Pradesh were also the hottest, with temperatures reaching 44.2 degrees Celsius.
There are also concerns about blackouts, potentially exposing millions of people to heat exhaustion or a deadly heat stroke.
In Maharashtra’s Kharghar, 13 people already died during a government award function after suffering a sunstroke.
The longer a person stays in increased temperatures, the worse the effects on their body.
Lower blood pressure and dehydration can cause muscle cramps, confusion, and fainting. If the blood pressure drops too far, it can increase the risk of a heart attack.
In worst-case scenarios, heatwaves can kill people. India has seen several heatwave fatalities over the years.
Between 1992 and 2015, the deadly heat has killed more than 22,000. In the year 2015, India saw its deadliest heatwave, claiming the lives of 2,081.
The Lancet also revealed that excessive heat led to a loss of 167.2 billion potential labour hours among Indians in 2021.
One should drink water and eat foods that have high water content to maintain the fluid, salt balance in the body.