00:00Well, does it feel like it is getting hotter and hotter and hotter?
00:05Are conversations around heatwave becoming more common than ever?
00:09This is not just another hot day.
00:12It is a wave, a heatwave.
00:16The fact is that as of now, heatwave belt runs across the entire North India region.
00:23Large parts of West India, parts of Central India, isolated pockets in the east and the strongest heatwave is in
00:32Vidarb, in Maharashtra, in Rajasthan.
00:35Also Delhi, the national capital region are under active heat stress.
00:40So, what really is a heatwave?
00:44Remember, it's not just another hot day.
00:46A heatwave is actually a stretch of unusually hot weather that lasts for several days.
00:53Usually, three or more.
00:56A heatwave happens when temperatures cross 40 degrees in plains, 37 in coastal areas and 30 degrees in hills.
01:05Well, if the temperature crosses 47 degrees, it is categorized into a severe heatwave category.
01:13Environmentalists say this is man's own doing.
01:16Rapid urbanization and a typical city life.
01:20Human activity is making the world hotter.
01:24Millions of air conditioners are being used for hours at a stretch.
01:29Millions of cars are being added to our roads and are adding to atmospheric temperatures.
01:34So, what are the health risks associated with the heatwave?
01:39Dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke that can be life-threatening, worsening of heart and lung conditions, daily life disruption, power
01:49demand strikes is what we've seen,
01:51which means electricity cuts, water shortages, reduce outdoor work productivity, environmental stress, drying of water bodies, increased risk of wildfires
02:04in surrounding regions, stress on plants and urban greenery.
02:15If you think you're suffering from heatwave, it is very important that you stay hydrated, you avoid outdoors.
02:24And if you are a patient with heart diseases, kidney failure or diseases like diabetes and hypertension, which involve a
02:33few medicines that can add to the dehydration, make sure that you're taking enough water.
02:39Not just water, but water with electrolytes is very important to prevent dehydration.
02:45Adding to that, there are several fruits that can be eaten, which have a very high content of water, like
02:52watermelons, muskmelons, and it is also important to stay indoors, especially when it is not required to step out during
03:01the peak afternoon hours.
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