Nagpur: With temperature menacingly hovering around 45 degrees Celsius mark in Nagpur and reports of a spike in suspected heatstroke cases, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has set its healthcare machinery into action.
NMC has created cold wards in 9 government and NMC hospitals in the city where five patients are admitted currently. Besides, NMC has directed giving afternoon break to all construction workers. The NMC’s Social Welfare Department has been identifying homeless citizens and shifting them to the city’s six shelter homes.
Since April 2024, 354 such people have been moved to shelter homes. Nagpur residents are requested to contact 9960183143, 9930327532 if they notice any homeless person.
“While green nets have been installed at some traffic junctions, NMC’s 163 parks are thrown open to the public in the afternoons. Arrangement for drinking water is made at over 350 places,” said the NMC. The traffic police department has stopped traffic signals at noon so that motorists don’t have to wait under the scorching heat at junctions. Eleven ambulances of 108 emergency number and 7 ambulances of NMC are ready 24×7 for citizens,” added the civic body.
Apart from that, civic body officials have also tied up with State’s Health Department where the cold wards are in place to deal with cases of heat Cold wards have been setup at NMC’s Indira Gandhi Hospital, Gandhi Nagar; Isolation Hospital, Imambada; Pachpaoli Hospital along with Medical and Mayo Hospital of State’s Medical Health Department and ESIS Hospital, Ayurvedic Hospital and Dr Ambedkar Hospital. The necessary medicines have been stocked-up at these hospitals.
Tips for citizens to deal with summer heat
NMC has issued ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ to avoid chances of heatstroke while carrying out outdoor activities. The key feature is that citizens should keep themselves hydrated. Citizens should avoid stepping out during the afternoon scorching if it’s avoidable. In case someone has outdoor activity then they should wear loose and white coloured clothes and ensure they have goggles, cap and shoes to avoid any exposure to sun.
Also citizens must carry a water bottle and drink it from time to time. In case anyone feels dizzy, then they should immediately take ORS mixture and drink it periodically. People can also drink lemon and water mixture, which is the best and avoid any starch, cold drinks and soft drinks during the summer season when the temperature rises manifold. To keep the homes cool, citizens can spray water on the cloth shades and use coolers and ceiling fans.
During cooking, adequate ventilation should be ensured. People should also refrain from consuming liquor, coffee and tea.
