Sunstroke claims three lives in Kerala

Sunstroke claims three lives in Kerala

1. Sunstroke, also known as heatstroke, has killed 3 people in Kerala. Early in March, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast heat wave conditions in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh.
2. A heat wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures-more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season. It is defined as the condition where maximum temperature at a grid point is 3˚C or more than the normal temperature, consecutively for 3 days or more.
3. The National Disaster Management Authority has had prepared Guidelines for preparation of action plan: prevention and management of heat-wave. These guidelines aims to facilitate different stakeholders in preparing a Heat Wave Management Plan. The guidelines provide insight into the heat related illness and the necessary mitigative and response actions to be undertaken.
4. Recently, in February 2019, the NDMA had organised a two-day workshop on heat wave risk reduction. The workshop aimed at sensitising the states about the need of preparing and implementing specific Heat Action Plans.