New Delhi, Apr 27 (PTI) The Centre has asked states and Union Territories to operationalise dedicated Heat Stroke Management Units at all health facilities and ensure adequate preparedness of ambulance services in view of the expected above-normal heatwave days during the summer season.
In a letter to chief secretaries of all states and UTs, the Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava reiterated the need for the timely dissemination of early warnings and real-time reporting of heatstroke cases on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal.
The communication, dated April 23, referred to the India Meteorological Department’s updated seasonal outlook for the hot weather season from April to June 2026 and the monthly outlook for April 2026.
“As per the IMD’s updated seasonal outlook for hot weather season (April to June) 2026 and monthly outlook for April 2026 for rainfall and temperature, it is highlighted that above-normal heatwave days are expected from April to June 2026 across parts of East, Central, and North-West India and the South-East Peninsula, with many coastal areas of Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh,” the letter stated.
It further noted that isolated regions of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka are also likely to be affected.
“Considering the above, it is reiterated that states/UTs must ensure operationalisation of dedicated Heat Stroke Management Units at all health facilities; adequate preparedness of ambulance services; dissemination of early warnings for timely action; and real-time reporting of heat stroke cases on this Ministry’s IHIP portal,” Srivastava said in the letter.
The health secretary noted that proactive planning and coordinated action by states and UTs would help mitigate the health impacts of extreme heat during the coming months.
She urged state governments to review heat season preparedness and ensure implementation of the advised measures to safeguard public health and prevent avoidable heat-related mortality. PTI PLB MPL MPL
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