'Stay hydrated, check on the elderly': PM Modi advises citizens amid intense heatwave conditions

The PM asked people to take precautions and care for the vulnerable besides helping animals and birds affected by soaring temperature.

New Delhi: Amid an intense heatwave in central and north west India and delayed monsoon arrival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked people to take precautions and care for the vulnerable besides helping animals and birds affected by soaring temperature.

Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to continue over central and north west India in next two-three days with Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan baking at 48.2 degrees Celsius and Banda in Uttar Pradesh recording a temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius.

A short relief for north west India may be expected by tomorrow due to a Western Disturbance that is likely to trigger thunderstorm, squalls, rains and dusty winds in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh between May 28-30 following which the temperature will again rise by 4-6 degrees Celsius by June 2, says the India Meteorological Department.

The south west monsoon that was expected to reach the Kerala coast on May 26 is delayed with the IMD on Wednesday saying that conditions are favourable for monsoon’s advancement in more parts of the Arabian Sea and Bay and Bengal in the next 2-3 days.

Prime Minister Modi warned of the dangers of "extreme heat" noting that “this heat is harsh on all of us” and asked people to take as many precautions as possible.

In a series of social media posts, Modi said children, the elderly and those working outdoors would be especially vulnerable to extreme heat and no one should ignore the warning signs of heat exhaustion as it can quickly turn dangerous and may even lead to heatstroke.

"Different parts of India are witnessing soaring temperatures and the challenges that come with it. This heat is harsh on all of us and I urge you all to take as many precautions as possible," he said.

Modi urged everyone to stay hydrated, carry water whenever stepping out and also offer a glass of water to others as such kindness goes a long way in such weather.

"Watch for signs of heat exhaustion like dizziness, nausea or extreme fatigue. If someone around you feels unwell, weak or develops a headache, it is best to help move them to a cool and shaded place immediately," he said, urging the citizens to help those affected by heat.

Two of the five meteorological stations in the national capital recorded more than 45 degrees Celsius temperature while Delhi’s base station at Safdurjung registered 44.3 degrees Celsius.

A senior UN official flagged severe human and economic impact of the heatwave, particularly on people living in homes without cooling facilities and those working long hours outdoors. "These extremes drive home the importance of measures to adapt to climate impacts, globally," Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change said in a statement.