IMD to share heatwave data with Red Cross, MCI

The IMD will provide heatwave alerts to Red Cross and practising doctors as part of its efforts to help the Maharashtra administration fight the condition better. With sunstroke claiming lives in the state, the IMD has roped in several agencies to disseminate its alerts.

“From Monday, we will share our heatwave alerts with Red Cross and Medical Council of India on a daily basis. While Red Cross has its own infrastructure to tackle the emergency, MCI has allowed us to use its network to spread the message,” IMD Director General K J Ramesh told DH.

Earlier this week, the IMD issued alerts about the unusual heatwave that began in west Rajasthan and Gujarat and later spread to central Maharashtra and Vidarbha regions. On Friday, the highest temperature was recorded at Akola (44 degrees Celsius). The IMD also plans to launch a pilot project to create 29 climate outlook fora by picking at least one district from a state for heatwave preparedness.