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NEW DELHI: As parts of India sizzled and heatwave conditions were forecast across regions for the next seven days, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Saturday issued comprehensive heatwave safety guidelines and advised citizens to take necessary precautions that include avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and strenuous outdoor activities during high-temperature periods.IMD, through these advisories covering informal and gig workers, and all those who have to work out in the open, lays down the dos and don’ts. It asked civic and health authorities to be ready with adequate support with drinking water, shelter and emergency kit carrying umbrella, head cover, hand towel, hand fan and electrolyte/glucose/oral rehydration. The health impacts of heatwaves typically involve dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke.The advisory comes at a time when maximum temperatures in many parts of northwest, central and peninsular India are ranging from 40-45 degrees Celsius, with the highest maximum temperature of 47.4 degrees being recorded at Banda (UP) Saturday. In several regions, temperatures have been observed to be markedly above normal by five degrees or more.
