The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged States and Union Territories to strengthen preparedness in view of heatwave conditions expected during the upcoming summer months.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretaries of States and UTs, Secretary of the Ministry, Punya Salila Srivastava, stated that above-normal heatwave days are likely from April to June 2026 across parts of East, Central, and North-West India, as well as the South-East Peninsula, based on forecasts by the India Meteorological Department.
The Ministry has directed States and UTs to operationalise dedicated heatstroke management units at all health facilities, ensure preparedness of ambulance services, disseminate early warnings, and maintain real-time reporting of heatstroke cases on the IHIP portal.
The Secretary emphasised that proactive planning and coordinated action will be crucial in mitigating the health impacts of extreme heat and preventing heat-related illnesses and fatalities.
Photo: Freepic
