Ahmedabad, March 12 (NationPress) The city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat is bracing for a stretch of elevated temperatures this week, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced a heatwave alert that will last until March 19. According to the IMD's seven-day forecast released on Thursday, the heatwave is expected to peak on March 12-13, with maximum temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius and minimums hovering around 23 degrees Celsius. The intense heat is predicted to persist, with maximum temperatures generally ranging between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius in the following days.

The IMD employs specific criteria to classify heatwave and severe heatwave conditions. A heatwave is defined as a scenario where maximum temperatures meet or exceed 40 degrees Celsius, showing substantial deviations from normal temperatures, or when actual maximum temperatures reach critical levels.

In light of this forecast, the IMD has advised residents to take necessary precautions against the extreme heat. Recommendations include staying hydrated by drinking water regularly, even if not thirsty, wearing light-coloured and loose-fitting cotton attire, and utilizing protective gear such as sunglasses, umbrellas, or hats when outdoors.

Staying hydrated with fluids such as lemonade, buttermilk, coconut water, or oral rehydration solutions (ORS) is crucial to maintaining hydration levels. The advisory also suggests avoiding outdoor activities unnecessarily between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., refraining from strenuous labor during peak heat hours, and steering clear of dehydrating drinks like tea, coffee, and carbonated beverages.

Furthermore, it notes the importance of avoiding stale or excessively high-protein foods, while also emphasizing the need to care for vulnerable segments of the population, including young children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

This early heatwave advisory coincides with higher-than-normal temperatures for March in the region, prompting similar alerts across other areas in Gujarat.

In preparation for the anticipated heat, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) activated its annual 'Heat Action Plan' on Wednesday, following a recorded increase in temperature and the issuance of a yellow alert by the IMD. The plan includes measures to mitigate the effects of extreme heat, such as ensuring the availability of ORS at Urban Health Centres and hospitals, establishing public drinking water points, and allocating dedicated hospital beds for heat-related ailments.

The Heat Action Plan also involves partnership with social organizations to set up water stations throughout the city and bolster public health initiatives during times of excessive heat. Municipal authorities have urged residents to adhere to safety guidelines as Ahmedabad endures an extended period of hot weather.