Andhra Pradesh: CM Chandrababu Naidu reviews heatwave preparedness; directs relief measures
Amaravati, May 22
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparedness measures on Friday to protect people from severe temperatures and heatwave conditions in the state.
To tackle the heatwave situation, the Chief Minister directed officials to arrange tents, cooling shelters, cold drinking water, buttermilk, and ORS packets at various locations.
He further instructed authorities to consider declaring local holidays in areas witnessing extreme temperatures and emphasised ensuring an uninterrupted drinking water supply in both rural and urban areas.
The Chief Minister also directed District Collectors to hold media briefings to raise awareness about heat intensity and precautions to be taken by the public.
Chief Secretary Sai Prasad and senior officials from the Disaster Management, Health, Municipal Administration, and Panchayat Raj departments attended the review meeting.
The direction comes amid temperatures across many parts of the country have skyrocketed, with several areas experiencing a severe heatwave, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue Red and Orange alerts across multiple states.
Dr Shalini Tyagi, Director of Paediatric Care at Medanta, Noida, on Thursday, advised parents to take extra precautions for children amid rising heatwave conditions, warning that children are more vulnerable to dehydration, heat stress and related infections during extreme weather.
The warning comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for heatwave conditions in Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh, with similar conditions likely in several other states, including Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Telangana, Odisha, and Uttarakhand.
Speaking to ANI about the impact of heat on children's health, Dr Tyagi said, "Every weather change affects children more than it affects adults. If you look at it, children have a larger body surface area relative to their weight, meaning they absorb more heat. Additionally, their thermoregulation system is not as well-developed as it is in adults."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good move by Naidu garu, but I hope this isn't just a photo-op. We need sustained action throughout summer, not just a one-day review. Also, spare a thought for construction workers and auto drivers who have no choice but to work in this heat 🥵.
As someone who works outdoors in the US, I can tell you that heat stress is no joke. Buttermilk and ORS packets are a simple but smart solution. India's traditional remedies never fail!
Appreciate the directive on media briefings—we need more awareness than ever. But what about rural areas where there's no proper electricity? Even fans won't work during power cuts. Need a parallel plan for that.
Great that they're involving health officials and pediatric warnings. As a mother, I'm worried about my kids playing outside. Schools should follow the holiday directive strictly. And please, no exams in this heat 😓.
Impressive to see proactive governance like this. Back in Australia, heatwaves are a big deal too, but the community support systems here in India feel more personal. ORS and buttermilk—classic desi solutions!
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