ITANAGAR, Jul 6: The Itanagar Capital Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Toko Babu, has issued a heat wave advisory, urging residents of the Itanagar Capital Region to take necessary precautions to safeguard their health amid prevailing high temperatures.
The advisory, issued on Monday, follows a communication from the State Disaster Management Department and the seasonal outlook of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicating above-normal temperatures across most parts of the country.
Residents have been advised to avoid exposure to the sun between 12 noon and 3 pm, drink plenty of water even if they are not thirsty, wear light-coloured cotton clothing, and use protective gear such as hats, sunglasses, umbrellas and appropriate footwear while outdoors.
The administration also advised people to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat hours, carry drinking water while travelling, and refrain from consuming alcohol, tea, coffee, carbonated beverages, stale food, and high-protein meals. The use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS), lemon water, buttermilk, lassi, and rice water (torani) has been recommended to prevent dehydration.
Special precautions have been issued for children, the elderly, outdoor workers, and pets. People have been advised not to leave children or animals inside parked vehicles and to keep homes cool by using curtains, ventilation, fans, and frequent cold baths where possible.
The advisory also outlines first-aid measures for heat stroke victims, including moving the affected person to a shaded place, cooling the body with water or a wet cloth, providing ORS or other rehydrating fluids, and shifting the patient immediately to the nearest health facility, as heat stroke can be life-threatening.
The Health Department has been directed to ensure adequate stocks of ORS, essential medicines, intravenous fluids, and ice packs at hospitals, primary health centres, community health centres, and Anganwadi centres. It has also been instructed to keep special air-conditioned wards ready for heat-related emergencies, strengthen surveillance, and monitor heat-related illnesses and deaths.
The Education Department has been asked to reschedule school timings to avoid peak afternoon heat, establish drinking water stations and shaded areas in educational institutions, and suspend outdoor physical activities during the heat wave.
The Electrical Department has been instructed to prioritise uninterrupted power supply to critical facilities such as hospitals and schools. All government departments have been directed to disseminate heat wave advisories, ensure the availability of safe drinking water in offices and public places, and take special care of vulnerable sections of society.
For heat wave-related assistance, residents may contact District Surveillance Officer Dr Giri Tali at 8837416681.