The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a heatwave alert for Karachi, warned all citizens against roaming outside unnecessarily during the next week. The heatwave warning has been issued and public have been guided not to venture out pointlessly. Roaming outside during peak hours must be avoided when a person is most exposed to the sun.
The Met department had said that the heatwave would prevail over the city during the next six to eight days with the temperature rising to 40-42°C during the daytime.
Read more: The Climate of Pakistan
Dr. Daniyal Raza, working at Indus Hospital’s emergency ward has recommended a few major important guidelines to avoid the Karachi heatwave.
Avoid unnecessary outdoor visits in the day
The heat is at its peak between the times when the sun gains complete reign of the skies — around 10am — and when it starts skirting the boundaries — after 4pm.
In light of this, it is advised to not go out during these five hours to make sure you stay safe from heatstroke.
Hydrate and eat fruits
Hydration during the hot months is imperative. You should carry a bottle of water or drink juices to avoid dehydration. You can also add fresh fruits to your water.
Try to eat sweet and ripe summer fruits, fresh vegetables, and foods that are bitter or astringent, rather than salty or spicy.
Dress light
Wear clothing made of cotton instead of other fabrics, as it is light and absorbent. Moreover, opt for lighter colours, as dark colours tend to absorb heat, while lighter colours reflect the sun’s radiation.
Stay covered
Try to avoid direct contact with the sunlight as not only will it burn your skin, but the sun’s ultraviolet rays can be extremely dangerous.
If you need to be outside, avoid spending extended amounts of time without shade or clothes that expose your skin to the sun. Also, wearing sunscreen would help you in the situation.
Wet towels
There are numerous pulse points on your body that can be used as cooling spots when in contact with cold water. Try putting a wet towel or running cold water over your feet, wrists, and temples.
More showers
Take quick showers as there is nothing like a cold shower in the middle of a sweltering summer day.
Cucumber
Cucumber is a vegetable with nearly 90% water content and is cooling in nature. You can munch on raw cucumber or add it to your drink water, juices, etc.
Symptoms to look out for
Moreover, it is important to know that the heatwave has gotten to you, so keep a lookout for symptoms that point to heatstroke, as defined by Karachi based Dr Raza:
- Confusion
A person starts getting confused, they feel like they are about to go into an unconscious state or might be falling. The person might also get a headache.
- Nausea or vomiting
The next phase after confusion is repeated nausea and vomiting.
- Loss of consciousness
The last and the most severe symptom is the loss of consciousness.
How to help the patient
Dr Raza further said that the best thing is to take the patient to a hospital, if the aforementioned symptoms occur. However, if that is not possible, you can try some home remedies.
He said that heatstroke occurs when a person’s internal body cooling system — the release of sweat — stops and the body temperature starts increasing.
“So the thing you need to keep in mind is that you need to cool the person’s body,” Dr Raza said.
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