Bengaluru, Sep 11: Extreme weather conditions have intensified across the state; while rain lashes some areas, scorching heat is affecting people in others. Current weather patterns have become unpredictable, oscillating between bone-chilling cold one day and sweltering heat the next. This presents a significant challenge for the Health Department, which has initiated preparations amidst concerns that temperatures could rise further due to the global ‘Super El Niño’ effect.
Temperatures have risen by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal, creating summer-like conditions in various districts. Koppal recorded 37°C; Kalaburagi, Ballari, and Raichur recorded 34°C; Karwar, Bidar, and Mysuru recorded 33°C; and Bengaluru recorded 30.9°C—which is 2°C above the normal temperature. “Temperatures 2 to 3 degrees Celsius higher than normal are being recorded across the state,” stated C.S. Patil, a scientist at the Meteorological Department.
These sudden weather fluctuations have raised concerns about serious impacts on public health. There is an increased risk of dehydration, severe fatigue, headaches, and heatstroke. Stagnant rainwater facilitates mosquito breeding, raising concerns about the spread of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Malaria. Fluctuations in weather conditions are leading to instances of viral fever, coughs, colds, and respiratory issues among the public.
Precautionary measures taken by the Health Department:
To address this health crisis, the department has initiated several measures under the guidance of Health Minister U.T. Khader.
Hospital Preparedness: Orders have been issued to ensure the availability of essential life-saving medicines, ORS packets, testing kits, and adequate bed facilities in all government hospitals.
Laboratory Testing: Adequate preparations have been made in government laboratories for testing Dengue and Chikungunya.
Field-level Surveillance: ASHA workers and health staff have been instructed to conduct door-to-door surveys to identify symptoms at an early stage.
Official Meetings: High-level meetings have been held to plan future strategies in light of the changing weather conditions across the state, including Bengaluru.
The department has urged the public to consume plenty of water to protect themselves from the heat and to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. All-time high temperature in three years:
Bengaluru is currently grappling with unusually intense heat during September—a month typically characterized by cool weather and light, steady rain. A maximum temperature of 31.22°C has been recorded in the city over the past week, marking the highest temperature for September in three years. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the current maximum temperature in Bengaluru ranges between 32°C and 33°C, which is approximately 4°C above normal. Forecasts indicate that the temperature is likely to cross the 33°C mark in the coming days.