- Monday, March 31, 2025
The Centre has asked states to review the preparedness of health facilities for the management of heatstroke cases and heat-related illnesses
By: India Weekly
DELHI on Thursday (27) recorded a maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius, 3.8 degrees above the season’s average.
According to the IMD, the minimum temperature was 19.5 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees above the season’s average.
The department has forecast strong surface winds during the day on Friday.
Relative humidity at 5.30 pm was 27 per cent.
The air quality was recorded in the poor category as the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 7 pm stood at 263.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe.
Meanwhile, the Centre has asked states to review the preparedness of health facilities for the management of heatstroke cases and heat-related illnesses, as the mercury continues to rise in many parts of the country.
Heat wave in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has warned of heat wave conditions in 89 mandals across the state, with temperatures in some of these areas topping 40 degrees Celsius.
On Thursday, Nandanamarella in Prakasam district recorded a maximum temperature of 42.4 degrees Celsius, closely followed by Kommalapadu in Nellore district (42.2 degrees) and Vontimitta in YSR Kadapa district (42.1 degrees).
Fruit ice cubes at Delhi zoo
Animals at the Delhi zoo will get a cool treat – fruit ice cubes- while water sprinklers will be installed for tigers, lions, leopards, and jackals to help them beat the heat during the summer season.
From April 1, all ‘summer action plan’ measures will be implemented to provide the animals with comfort during the heat, Zoo Director Sanjeet Kumar said.
From air coolers in enclosures and frequent water showers to shaded resting areas and running water in pools, the zoo will take various measures to keep the animals comfortable this summer.
The measures include continuous running water in pools for carnivores, herbivores, and reptiles, along with sprinklers and shaded areas to prevent overheating.
In carnivore enclosures, water pools will be kept filled and shaded, while sprinklers will be installed for tigers, lions, leopards, and jackals.
The zoo will also set up water coolers in holding cells and adjust the animals’ diet to lighter, summer-friendly meals.
Herbivores, including sambar deer, nilgai, blackbucks, and elephants, will receive frequent showers. Similarly, rhinos will be bathed twice daily to keep them cool.
For primates, air coolers have been placed in their enclosures, and special fruit ice balls are being prepared daily to provide them hydration and nutrition.
Reptile enclosures are also being kept cool with shaded areas and wet gunny bags for snakes, officials said.
Meanwhile, bird enclosures are being equipped with side-wall curtains, water sprinklers, and larger earthen pots to ensure a steady supply of cool drinking water.
Emus and ostriches are getting regular baths, and delicate species like pheasants have been provided with gunny bags that are kept damp to maintain a cooler environment.
Bears, which are highly sensitive to heat, will be kept in shaded feeding cells during extreme temperatures, with large ice blocks provided for relief. Their moats are cleaned and refilled daily, and they are also given fruit ice cubes to help them stay hydrated.
Apart from these species-specific measures, the zoo has installed thermometers in key enclosures to monitor temperature fluctuations.
Seasonal fruits like watermelon, cucumber, and coconut water have been incorporated into the diets of primates, bears, and herbivores to provide extra hydration. (PTI)
