Sizzling stats: Amdavadis dial 108 every 6 minutes

AHMEDABAD: The heat is playing havoc in Ahmedabad, and how! On Wednesday, EMRI 108 recorded 192 heat-related emergencies in the city. Excluding eight hours of the night, the services fielded 11 calls every hour at an average of one call every six minutes!

In Gujarat, the scenario was similar, with one heat-related emergency every 1.4 minutes.
The temperature went up a notch higher in Ahmedabad on Thursday as the maximum temperature reached 43.7°C. Across the state, Surendranagar recorded the highest maximum temperature at 44.3°C, followed by 44.1°C in Keshod, 44°C in Amreli and Kandla, and 43.8°C in Vadodara and Rajkot.
"Gujarat and Ahmedabad saw the sharpest spike in heat-related cases on May 8 this month. Compared to an average of 690 cases daily in the state in May, 813 cases or an 18% spike, were seen on May 8. For Ahmedabad, the spike was 31% as 215 cases were registered, an average of 164 cases daily. The second highest number of cases for both Gujarat and Ahmedabad were registered on May 10," said a senior EMRI official. "The numbers correspond with the rise in temperature, which began inching towards 42°C from May 8 onwards."
Analysis of heat-related emergencies indicates that abdominal pain was the most common complaint, followed by fainting, vomiting or diarrhoea, high fever, and headaches. Twelve heatstroke cases have been recorded in Gujarat in May so far. Of this, one was recorded in Ahmedabad.
Dr Kamlesh Saini, president of the Ahmedabad Family Physicians' Association (AFPA), said that in the past few days, several of the patients had approached the general practitioners for symptoms such as extreme fatigue, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
"We advise citizens to avoid direct heat in the afternoons or going from air-conditioned environments to outdoors and vice-versa. Take a small break in between. We also advise you to take light meals, especially during afternoons, and consume plenty of fluids to remain hydrated," said Dr Saini.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast mentioned chances of maximum temperatures touching 44°C on Friday.
There was some respite at night as the maximum temperature at 25°C was 1.9 degrees lower than normal, indicating relatively cooler nights. "No large change in maximum temperatures during next 48 hours, after that gradual fall by 2-3 degrees during subsequent three days is very likely," mentioned the forecast.
Experts pointed out that this year's erratic summer pattern has caused symptoms such as fatigue and discomfort. Till May 7, the maximum temperatures were either lower than normal or normal. In five days, the difference has changed from -2.4 degrees to +2.1 degrees, causing heat shock, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and senior citizens.