Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 issued a public health appeal to the people of Rajasthan, urging residents to take precautions as the state endures a severe heatwave driven by the traditional nine-day Nautapa (period of intense summer heat) period. The Chief Minister called on citizens to prioritise their health and safety and to extend community support to the vulnerable during the extreme weather.

Context

In his post, Sharma wrote: 'Dear residents of the state, Rajasthan is currently going through a period of intense heat due to Nautapa. In view of rising temperatures and the impact of heat waves, I urge all of you to give the highest priority to your health and the safety of your families.' He specifically asked people to consume adequate water and fluids, keep a close watch on children, the elderly, and the unwell, and avoid stepping out in direct sunlight during peak hours.

The Chief Minister also called on residents to follow health and safety guidelines issued by the administration and the state health department. He appealed to the public to set up pyaau (public water-distribution points), shade, and cool drinking water at public places, and to leave out water and grain for animals and birds.

Policy Backdrop

Rajasthan, India's largest state by area, encompasses vast arid and semi-arid zones where summer temperatures routinely exceed 45°C in several districts, particularly in the Thar Desert belt. The state is among the most heat-stressed in the country during the May–June period.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued national guidelines for heatwave preparation and mitigation in 2016, which several states including Rajasthan have since adapted into district-level heat action plans. These plans typically activate temporary shelters, hydration centres, and public health surveillance when temperatures breach defined thresholds.

Nautapa — literally 'nine heats' — is a traditional marker in the Hindu calendar, usually falling in late May to early June, when the sun transits the Rohini constellation. It is widely associated with the most intense heat of the summer in northern and western India, and public advisories around this period have become a recurring feature of state governance in Rajasthan.

Stakeholders and Impact

The advisory directly concerns Rajasthan's population of over 8 crore people, with the most at-risk groups being the elderly, children, outdoor labourers, and livestock. Rural communities and urban informal workers who cannot avoid daytime outdoor exposure face the greatest health risk from heat stroke and dehydration.

The Chief Minister's appeal to set up community water points draws on a longstanding cultural tradition across Rajasthan and broader northern India, where volunteer-run pyaau and charitable water distribution have historically served as a grassroots safety net during summer months. His mention of care for animals and birds reflects a value system deeply embedded in the state's social fabric.

What's Next

The state health department is expected to monitor heat-related illness reports across districts in the coming weeks, with district administrations potentially activating temporary relief shelters and emergency health services where temperatures remain critical. The appeal signals that the government is in a preparatory and awareness-raising mode ahead of any formal escalation of administrative response. How quickly ground-level relief infrastructure is operationalised will be closely watched by public health observers and local communities alike.