Heatwave in Mumbai: Here's a list of dos & don'ts to keep in mind as temperatures rise

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) issued an advisory urging the citizens to practice precautionary measures amid rising temperature in the last few days with the advent of summer.

Heatwaves being a ‘silent disaster’, the civic body stressed the serious health risks they pose, particularly between March and May.

*उष्माघाताचा त्रास होऊ नये म्हणून खबरदारी घेण्याचे नवी मुंबई महानगरपालिकेचे आवाहन*

*सविस्तर वृत्त लिंक*:https://t.co/g51qAmZaOk#nmmchealthdepartment #nmmchealth #awareness #heatwave #heatwaveessential #heatwaveprecaution #heatwaveawareness pic.twitter.com/RuWjHzPSvC

— Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (@NMMConline) March 26, 2025

If the symptoms of heat-related illnesses are observed, residents are urged to contact the nearest civic hospitals located at Vashi, Nerul and Airoli besides all 23 urban primary health centres across the city through the health department.

Here’s the list of things to keep in mind:

Dos:

• Drink plenty of water even if you are not thirsty.
• Wear light-colored, loose, and cotton clothes.
• Use goggles, umbrella, hat, boots or slippers when going outside
• Keep water with you while travelling.
• Keep your homes cool, install curtains, shutters, sunshades and keep windows open at night.
• Use umbrella, hat on head in sun, use wet cloth for head, neck, face.
• If there is weakness, consult a doctor immediately.
• Take ORS, home lassi, lemon water, buttermilk etc.
• Keep animals in camp and provide adequate water.
• Use a fan, shower with cold water.

Don’ts:

• Avoid going out in the sun between 12 noon and 3.30 pm.
• Do not consume alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks, it causes dehydration.
• Do not eat high protein diet and stale food.
• Do not leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.

Symptoms of heat stroke

• Body temperature rising above 40 degrees.
• Headache and palpitations.
• Dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
• Limb aches and muscle aches.
• Dizziness and confusion.
• Absence of sweating despite heat.

Who is at risk?

NMMC has specifically warned that infants, young children, outdoor workers, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing conditions (such as heart disease or high blood pressure) face a higher risk of heat-related illnesses. Families are urged to monitor elderly or sick individuals who live alone to prevent medical emergencies.