Rising mercury starts taking a toll on health of Kolkatans
Times of India | 15 March 2025
12 Kolkata: The spiralling mercury has started taking a toll on the health of Kolkatans, with several hospitals reporting a spike in patients with heat-induced illnesses. The maximum temperature rose 7°C in the last six days, jumping from 28.8°C on March 6 to 35°C on Thursday. With the afternoon sun beating down intensely, those going outdoors were left scurrying for cover, even as many suffered heat exhaustion, fatigue, severe cramps due to sudden loss of fluids, and fever. At least two hospitals introduced beds for patients suffering from heat diseases in their emergency departments, while one planned a ‘summer clinic' to attend to these patients.
While Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 25.1°C on Thursday, the maximum may touch 36°C on Friday. The Met office has sounded a heat alert for south Bengal, where most districts could see temperatures soaring way above normal. A heat-wave alert has been sounded for western districts like Purulia, Jhargram, Bankura, West Midnapore, and Birbhum. The maximum temperature is likely to remain 3°C-4°C above normal across south Bengal, said a bulletin issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre.
In the western districts, the temperature may touch or cross 40°C. "Dry westerly to northwesterly wind is likely to prevail over the region, and consequently, heat-wave conditions is likely to prevail over south Bengal districts from March 15," the bulletin added.
In the last three days, BP Poddar Hospital received 56 patients in its OPD. While some of them were stabilised, 24 patients required admission. "With temperatures expected to rise further, we are planning to introduce a dedicated summer clinic. Additionally, we have designated a bed in our emergency unit exclusively for heat stroke cases," said Supriyo Chakraborty, group advisor at BP Poddar Hospital.
"A sudden temperature increase, coupled with dry weather conditions, is leading to dehydration and heat-related health concerns in many individuals. As the body struggles to adapt to such abrupt weather fluctuations, several patients are reporting to us with symptoms identical to heat stroke," said Souvik Goswami, assistant medical superintendent of BP Poddar.
Charnock Hospital has kept an emergency team ready to attend to ‘Holi injuries' and heat illnesses. "Since Holi makes people stay out in the sun, heat exhaustion, fatigue, and dehydration are common. It's important to stay hydrated and prevent sweating. Unhygienic and intoxicating drinks often lead to diarrhoea and loss of fluids," said Charnock emergency head Nishant Agarwal.
In the last two weeks, many sought treatment at the OPD of Techno India DAMA Hospital and were treated for heat-induced illnesses, mostly triggered by dehydration. Eight patients fainted and experienced breathing distress as they were unable to cope with the rising temperature. "Post-Holi, there is always a sharp rise in the cases of colour infection and heat allergy," said MS Purkait, medical superintendent, Techno DAMA.
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