Heatwave toll reaches 7 in Ahmedabad, 'orange alert' issued

Seven people have died due to the severe heatwave in the city this month with the civic body today issuing an 'orange alert' expecting the temperatures to shoot upto 43 to 45 degrees Celsius over the next seven days.

Orange alert is issued when there is a prolonged heat-wave condition.

"There is a probability that the temperatures can shoot upto 43 to 45 degrees in coming seven days and therefore an 'orange alert' has been issued," said Bhavin Solanki, in-charge health officer, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

"We will monitor the situation for the next seven days during the orange alert and plan relief measures," he added.

"Hospitals in the city have registered 18 cases of heat-stroke so far this month. Of these, seven died," he said.

AMC has been taking steps to spread awareness about how to deal with the heat through advertisements.

The city has been reeling under a severe heatwave for the last one week with the maximum temperature ranging between 42 to 44 degrees Celsius.

According to the AMC officials, labourers, children, elderly persons and pregnant women are especially vulnerable in such conditions.