Kolkata Schools Urged to Suspend Classes Amid Heatwave
As Kolkata continues to swelter under temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, children’s specialists in the city are raising concerns over the risks associated with attending school during these extreme conditions. Despite the West Bengal government advancing the start of summer holidays from May 6 to April 22 due to the heatwave, many private schools have continued to hold offline classes.
Dr. Suman Podda, a leading pediatrician, emphasizes the importance of minimizing outdoor activities for children during the daytime, particularly for those aged 2-5. He urges parents to avoid sending their children to school on heatwave days, if possible. Additionally, Dr. Podda cautions against consuming cold water when outdoors in the sun.
Dietary Recommendations for Children
Regarding diet, Dr. Podda suggests increasing fluid intake while avoiding artificially flavored drinks and fast food. He advises against consuming meat as a source of protein, as it can lead to digestion problems. Instead, plant-based protein sources and curd should be included in the diet to maintain body temperature balance.
Health Risks of Sudden Temperature Changes
Entering air-conditioned rooms or consuming chilled water immediately after being outside during the daytime can pose health risks for both adults and children. Dr. Pavitra Chakraborty, another pediatrician, notes that most of her young patients present with either digestion problems or fever, often due to inadequate water consumption and fast food intake.
Current Weather Conditions and Forecast
As of Monday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius, with high humidity levels. An orange alert for heatwave conditions remains in effect for several districts in southern Bengal, including North and South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Purulia, Hooghly, Jhargram, West Midnapore, East and West Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad, and Nadia. The alert is expected to continue for the rest of the week.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a slight decrease in temperatures over the next two days, followed by a subsequent rise. Thunderstorms with lightning are currently affecting northern districts of West Bengal, and these conditions are likely to persist into the coming week.
Heatwave Concerns in Other Districts
Extreme heatwave conditions are also being experienced in other parts of West Bengal, including Panagarh and Bankura, which recorded temperatures of 44.5 degrees Celsius on Monday. Barrackpore, Asansol, and Purulia reached temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius, while Midnapore hit 42.5 degrees Celsius. Krishnanagar recorded 41.5 degrees Celsius, Burdwan reached 42 degrees Celsius, and Jhargram experienced 41.5 degrees Celsius. Thunderstorms with lightning are currently affecting the northern districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. However, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda are facing hot and humid conditions without rainfall.
Gradual Rise in Temperatures Expected
The Met department has announced that temperatures will gradually rise by 1-2 degrees Celsius over the next three days in West Bengal.
