In response to soaring temperatures and widespread heatwave conditions across several regions of India, the Ministry of Ayush, in coordination with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, has released a comprehensive Public Health Advisory on Extreme Heat/Heatwave for the current summer season.

The advisory provides detailed guidance for the general public, vulnerable populations, employers, workers, and participants in mass gatherings and sports events, emphasizing strategies to protect against heat stress and heat-related illnesses. Citizens are urged to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours, wear light cotton clothing, and consume seasonal fruits and electrolyte-rich fluids.

Special attention has been highlighted for infants, children, pregnant women, elderly persons, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension, who are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses and require close monitoring and preventive care.

For workplaces, public gatherings, and outdoor activities, the advisory recommends the provision of shaded rest areas, regular hydration breaks, acclimatization measures for workers, and awareness campaigns about the early warning signs of heat stress. Citizens are cautioned to watch for symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, high body temperature, altered mental status, dehydration, seizures, and fainting, with heatstroke identified as a medical emergency requiring immediate attention. The advisory advises calling emergency helplines 108/102 in severe cases.

In addition to conventional measures, the advisory incorporates guidance from traditional wellness systems under Ayush—including Ayurveda, Siddha, Yoga, Unani, and Homoeopathy. Ayurveda recommendations include cooling dietary practices, hydrating beverages such as buttermilk, coconut water, and lemon-based drinks, as well as traditional preparations like Nimbukaphala Panaka, Amra Prapanaka, and Chincha Panaka to regulate body temperature during extreme heat.

Siddha and Yoga practices emphasize cooling refreshments, Sheetali Pranayama breathing techniques, and gentle yoga routines to maintain thermal comfort and reduce heat stress. The Unani system advises traditional cooling drinks and herbal applications to prevent sunburn and dehydration, while Homoeopathy suggests precautionary measures during peak heat hours.

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The advisory also encourages the public to include hydrating and cooling foods such as cucumber, watermelon, lime, musk melon, ash gourd, and tomatoes in their daily diet. Additionally, citizens are urged to regularly monitor weather updates from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and take precautionary measures whenever heatwave alerts are issued.

Through this advisory, the Ministry of Ayush seeks to combine modern public health guidance with time-tested traditional wellness practices, ensuring a holistic approach to safeguarding the population against the risks of extreme heat.