Telangana health advisory: boil water, avoid noon sun as El Niño heat and drought risks rise
The Telangana health department has issued a public health advisory cautioning people about the risks to health linked to El Niño conditions, which it said could bring prolonged dry spells, extreme heat and acute water shortage to the state.
In the advisory issued on Tuesday, November 3, Director of Public Health and Family Welfare Dr B. Ravinder Nayak said the changing climatic conditions could increase the risk of water-borne diseases, heat-related illnesses, malnutrition and mental stress.
El Niño is a periodic warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that influences weather patterns across the world, including rainfall and temperatures over India. The department said the precautions are meant to help households prepare in advance rather than to respond after an emergency arises.
On drinking water, people have been asked to boil it for at least one minute, or to use chlorine tablets and filters, even if the water appears clean. Water should be stored in clean, covered containers and drawn with a ladle instead of by dipping hands into it. "Drinking water from unregulated wells, tankers and surface water bodies without proper purification should be avoided," the advisory said.
With temperatures likely to pose health risks, the advisory recommends drinking sufficient water through the day and supplementing it with Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), homemade lemon water or buttermilk with a pinch of salt. People have been advised to avoid outdoor activities and strenuous work between noon and 3 p.m., to wear light-coloured, loose-fitting cotton clothes and to cover their heads when exposed to direct sunlight.
The department has called for special care for infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with pre-existing heart conditions or blood pressure-related ailments. It has also cautioned against alcohol, highly caffeinated tea or coffee and sugary carbonated drinks, as these can contribute to fluid loss.
On nutrition, people have been advised to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables with a high water content, including cucumbers, melons, oranges and gourds. The advisory also warns against leftovers that have not been properly refrigerated, since high temperatures can speed up food spoilage.
To prevent vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, households have been asked to empty, scrub and completely dry water storage tanks, coolers and buckets at least once a week. Emergency water storage containers should be kept covered to prevent mosquito breeding.
The advisory further recommends using a mask or clean cloth to cover the nose and mouth during dust storms and dry, windy conditions to protect against respiratory problems.
"As part of preparedness measures, the government has made arrangements for special beds, intravenous fluids and essential medicines at all public health facilities. ORS sachets have also been made available with Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers to address any emergencies," the advisory stated.
The suggestions listed are largely low-cost measures that can be followed at home, and the advisory is framed as a set of precautions rather than a declaration of a health emergency. It does not specify how long the precautions are to remain in force.
