Nashik civic body issues heat advisory as city hits 38.5°C

Nashik: Six Met department-monitored locations in the state crossed the searing 40°C-mark on Thursday, with Nashik city's maximum temperature also climbing to 38.5°C — its highest of the season so far. As the heat tightens its grip, Nashik Municipal Corporation has issued a public advisory, urging citizens to follow strict heat-safety measures to avoid ailments like heatstroke.According to India Meteorological Department data, Jalgaon recorded the highest temperature in Madhya Maharashtra at 40.1°C on Thursday. In the Vidarbha region, five locations crossed the 40°C-mark, with Amravati registering the state's highest temperature at 42.2°C, closely followed by Akola (42°C), Wardha (40.2°C), Chandrapur (40.2°C) and Yavatmal (40°C).Jalgaon also recorded the lowest minimum temperature across the state on Thursday at 15.5°C.In view of the rising heat, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has particularly cautioned vulnerable groups, such as young children, pregnant women, outdoor workers, athletes and individuals with heart, lung or kidney ailments, saying they faced a greater risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and sunstroke.NMC has appealed to the residents to avoid stepping out during peak afternoon hours. "People have been advised to wear loose, light-coloured cotton clothing and carry adequate drinking water while travelling," an official said.The advisory also stressed the importance of staying hydrated by consuming clean drinking water, lemon water, buttermilk, lassi, coconut water and other fluids. "The residents should use sunglasses, caps, scarves or umbrellas, and ensure proper workplace ventilation," the advisory stated.The residents have also been warned not to leave children, elderly persons or animals inside parked vehicles, even briefly, due to the high risk of heatstroke in such conditions. The civic body further urged people to immediately contact the nearest municipal health centre or civic hospital if anyone experiences symptoms of heatstroke.Experts said high diurnal temperature difference (maximum and minimum temperatures gap) caused significant health, agricultural and environmental stress. People should exercise caution as it increases the risks of cardiovascular or respiratory mortality, particularly in the elderly, while driving crop failure, drought and reduced viticulture quality," an expert said.