Slight respite from heat as mercury drops by over two degrees; rain forecast for today

The Hindu

15 hours ago

The national capital received a slight respite from the heatwave on Friday due to a partly cloudy sky and gusty winds, as the maximum temperature dropped to 41.2 degrees Celsius, 1.3 notches above normal, from 43.9 degrees Celsius recorded the previous day.
According to the Safdarjung weather observatory, the minimum temperature for the day was 31 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast 'very light' rainfall on Saturday, and the maximum temperature between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius.
According to the weather department, the Capital might receive 'very light' to 'moderate' rain till June 19, with the maximum temperature likely to remain under 40 degrees Celsius.
Though 'very light' rain was forecast for Friday, no such rain was recorded at any weather station in the Capital.
Patients influx
Doctors at several hospitals in the city said that the number of patients complaining of heat-related ailments has increased over the past few days.
'Patients complaining of low blood pressure, diarrhoea, dizziness, abdomen pain, vomiting, and dehydration are increasing. Those with severe illness are being admitted,' said Dr. Gude Tejaswini at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, adding that several patients had fallen ill following prolonged exposure to the sun.
Heat advisory
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an advisory for informal workers. The advisory instructed the authorities to encourage split shifts with extended breaks between 12.00 p.m. and 4 p.m.
'Ensure safe drinking water is available at all informal workplaces. Install hydration stations in high-footfall areas such as markets and transit hubs. Encourage water breaks and provide refillable bottles,' read the advisory dated Thursday.
The NDMA also ordered the distribution of oral rehydration solution, glucose, cooling towels, caps, and breathable clothes to workers. 'Set up temporary shade structures at workplaces and congregation points. Push for shaded pedestrian paths and covered bus stops in urban planning,' added the advisory.
Power cuts
Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the city, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that amid scorching heat, people are suffering 'frequent power cuts' and 'inflated electricity bills'.
'This is the condition in Delhi today. Firstly, the BJP government raised the tariffs on electricity, making it unaffordable. Secondly, they've allowed long power cuts to become routine, forcing people to spend sleepless nights,' said AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj in a press conference.
There was no response from the Delhi BJP till the time of going to press.