Hazards, Disasters And Your Community - United Nations ...

Common sources of infection carriers can be tackled by many measures. Strategies included are
improving the sanitary conditions, drive to check and fumigate breeding places of any vector (source of
infection), improving disposal methods of waste, disinfecting the water source etc.
WEB RESOURCES
http://mohfw.nic.in; http://icmr.nic.in/wel.htm; http://indmed.nic.in/; www.who.int/en/; www.cdc.gov
H E A T W A V E S
A HEATWAVE–
Heatwave claims several lives at different locations across the country.
News report as on Oct 2004 put across fierce heat wave that left at least
622 dead over the past week as unseasonably dry winds push
temperatures to sweltering levels in southern India. The deadly conditions,
causing temperatures to soar as high as 46 degrees Celsius and above,
have affected mainly the most vulnerable populations: the poor, elderly and
outdoor workers, such at street vendors and farmers. Nearly 100 others
have suffered heat-related deaths in the northern states of Punjab,
Haryana and Orissa.
is a complex phenomenon
resulting from a certain
combination of temperature,
huimidity, air movement and
duration. Simply stated, a
heatwave is an extended period
of very high summer
temperatures with the potential
to adversely affect
communities.
HEATWAVE DANGERS AND EFFECTS
Human Effects: in many parts of the country and the world, every summer thousands of people suffer
from heat stress when the bodies absorb more heat than they can dispel. Unless prompt
preventive/treatment is received, they suffer the serious or even fatal consequences of heat stroke.
Regardless of these statistics, heat wave is probably the most under-rated of all natural hazards. The
level of discomfort experienced in warm, moist tropical and sub-tropical conditions is determined by a
range of climatic variables, principally air temperature, humidity and wind; as well as cultural variables
including clothing, occupation and accommodation; and physiological variables such as health, fitness,
age and the level of becoming accustomed. The main factor involved in the degree to which we feel
uncomfortable in such conditions is not so much because we feel hot, but rather we sense how difficult it
has become for us to lose body heat at the rate necessary to keep our inner body temperature close to
37 o C.
The body responds to this stress progressively through three stages:
• heat cramps – muscular pains and spasms caused by heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the
least severe stage they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat;
• heat exhaustion – typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where
body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases causing a decrease of flow
to vital organs. This results in mild shock with the symptoms of cold, clammy and pale skin together with
fainting and vomiting. If not treated the victim may suffer heat stroke;
• heat stroke – is life threatening. The victims temperature control system, which produces sweating to
cool the body, stops working. The body temperature may exceed 40.6 O C potentially causing brain
damage and death if the body is not cooled quickly. (Source: American Red Cross Website)
Agriculture: animals suffer the same way as humans do., particularly when left without shade and
adequate water. During heatwaves, especially in times of drought, livestock losses can be very high.
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