Brace Up, City Likely To Boil At 43°C On Saturday, Sunday

Nagpur: The city and entire Vidarbha will face a scorching heatwave as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts temperatures exceeding 40 degree Celsius for the next five days.
The mercury is expected to peak at 43 degrees Celsius on May 4 and 5 in Nagpur. Similar extreme weather is anticipated across all districts in Vidarbha, with Chandrapur and Akola specifically placed under a heatwave warning where maximums are expected to touch 45 degree Celsius on May 4 and 5.

On May 2, Chandrapur was the hottest in the Vidarbha region at 43 degrees Celsius, followed by Akola at 42.3 degree Celsius and Gadchiroli at 42 degree Celsius.Interestingly, Nagpur recorded a high of 39.9 degree Celsius, but the lowest temperature was at 20.6 degree Celsius, leading to a cooler evening and night compared to other parts of Vidarbha.
The weather forecast for the next five days shows most cities in Vidarbha will experience maximum temperatures exceeding 40 degree Celsius. Gadchiroli, Akola, and Chandrapur may even touch the 45 degree Celsius mark in the coming days.
Yavatmal and Gadchiroli may witness thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds at one or two places on Sunday or Monday. Other parts of Vidarbha will have no major respite from the heat till May 8 now.
To combat the sweltering conditions, doctors have shared crucial advice for citizens. “A heatwave is abnormally high temperatures that persist for several days. This can lead to dehydration, heatstroke, and other heat-related illnesses,” said Dr Rajendra Chandak, critical care specialist. According to him, we must be aware of the signs and symptoms of heatstroke, which include high body temperature, dizziness, nausea, and confusion.
There has been a significant rise in heatstroke cases after the Covid-19 pandemic. In the year 2020 and 2021, heatstroke cases were nearly zero or unreported due to Covid-19 lockdown. In 2022, as people resumed outdoor activities, over 700 heatstroke cases were documented across Vidarbha. Nagpur city alone reported 13 deaths, with Nagpur rural recording 2 fatalities. Akola reported 3 deaths, while Amravati and Bhandara each had 1 death.
This year, no heatstroke deaths have been reported so far in the region. Nagpur city has witnessed only 14 cases in the last four months.
Indian Medical Association (IMA) Nagpur’s president Dr Manjusha Giri said, “Staying hydrated is the most important factor in combating heatstroke. Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Drink water, buttermilk, or fresh fruit juices with minimal sugar content.”
General physician Dr Prakash Bhagat advised to wear loose, light-coloured cotton clothing. “Loose clothing allows your skin to breathe. I urge young people to avoid tight-fitting or dark-coloured clothes that trap heat,” he said.
The NMC’s health department has also released an advisory appealing to people to ‘minimize outdoor activities during peak sun hours, typically between 11am and 4pm’.
Clinical dietician Malvvika Fulwani said, “Eat light, easily digestible meals rich in fruits and vegetables. Avoid excessive consumption of fried foods or heavy meals that can put extra strain your body.”
She added that alcohol and caffeine can lead to dehydrattion. “Go for herbal teas or fruit juices,” she said.