The weather men have grown apprehensive of a longer and more excruciating heat wave this year given the extreme nature of the climatic pattern having been observed over the last few weeks. We are getting 20 per cent less rain than normal during the dry months. The heat this year might surpass the critical 45 degrees Celsius plus temperature registered in 1972, the highest benchmark during the last 30 years.

This prospect conjures up a dreadful scenario having regard to the fact that we are already smarting under the effect of the extreme weather. Sixteen people have lost their lives and thousands have landed in hospitals struck down by diarrhoea and a host of other afflictions and the diarrhoeal scourge which had started earlier this season than expected might only get worse with an intensified heat wave. With the plummeting subsoil water table in the dry season, potable water has become extremely scarce. Many people are having to make do with whatever water they could get regardless of its impurities. Safe drinking water supply is precaution number one that the government has to ensure. Meanwhile, the health ministry will have to make sure that intervenous saline and ORS are available and delivered in sufficient quantities in the affected parts of the country.

We believe, the administration, media, both print and electronic, the NGOs and the local bodies and communities will have to come forward in disseminating messages about avoiding dehydration, stale food of any kind and polluted drinking water. Lists of do's and don'ts need to be prepared and distributed among the people at the Wards and Union Parishad levels.