Mumbai News: Maharashtra Sees Increase In Heatstroke Cases Over Last 10 Days Compared to Previous Year

Mumbai: Due to a heatwave impacting several areas, the state has released health alerts, heightening worries regarding the adequacy of existing safety protocols. Buldhana tops the list with six cases, while Gadchiroli, Nagpur, and Parbhani each have four. In the initial ten days of April, Maharashtra has reported 34 heatstroke incidents, exceeding the 24 cases recorded during the same period last year.

While there are no verified heat-related fatalities, a potential incident from Buldhana includes an 11-year-old boy who fainted and passed away while being taken to the hospital.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released yellow alerts for multiple regions, suggesting a possible 3–4°C increase in temperature alongside elevated humidity levels. Physicians emphasize the risks of heatstroke, which can be deadly without quick treatment. Proper first aid involves relocating victims to cooler locations and offering them fluids.

Public areas intended for respite, like BMC-managed gardens in Mumbai, ironically shut during the hottest hours. Criticism surrounds inadequate actions such as painting roofs white and modifying work hours for at-risk workers, as laborers in Amravati continue to toil under the midday sun without shade or drinking water.

In spite of these obstacles, Maharashtra has started implementing measures to enhance climate resilience, entering into a MoU with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to improve governance related to sustainable cooling.

Hospitals are creating specialized beds for heat emergencies, and a climate-conscious budget now requires all departments to factor climate risks into their planning. Nevertheless, rural regions continue to struggle with a lack of qualified medical staff, hindering precise documentation of heat-related incidents, underscoring the necessity for enhanced awareness and resources for managing heatstroke.