Pune recorded a maximum temperature of 36 degrees Celsius on Friday. Due to the temperature rise, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), in coordination with state health authorities, has intensified surveillance to prevent and monitor the health impacts of extreme heat. So far, no major heatstroke cases have been reported from Pune and surrounding areas.
Data from the Maharashtra health department shows that 23 heatstroke cases have been reported this March. Several districts have reported cases of heatstroke including Gadchiroli with four cases, Buldhana with three, Nagpur with three, Latur with two, Palghar with two, Parbhani with two and one case each from Nanded, Nashik, Osmanabad, Raigad, Sangli, Thane and Wardha. No deaths have been reported so far.
Health experts have attributed the surge in heatstroke cases to the scorching heat, with temperatures in various locations hovering near or exceeding 40°C for consecutive days. Extreme heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and, in severe cases, heatstroke.
According to data provided by the health department, Maharashtra reported 347 heatstroke cases and one confirmed death due to heatstroke in 2024, while there were 3,191 cases and 14 deaths in 2023. A total of 2,746 cold rooms are available across Maharashtra, including 220 in Pune, located at 101 primary health centres, 19 rural hospitals, 94 urban health centres and one district hospital. The state department has also issued an advisory to tackle the heatstroke cases.
Officials from the district hospital said, "Medical officers at district and municipal levels have received training on heatstroke management. We urge residents to take necessary precautions and have issued health advisories."
According to the Indian Metrological Department (IMD), temperatures are likely to drop in the coming days. Until the end of March, temperatures are expected to hover between 36-40 degrees Celsius, and a thunderstorm is expected in parts of south-central Maharashtra after March 31. This will bring some respite to the people. As per the seven-day weather prediction, the mercury will reach 38 degrees Celsius on Saturday, 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 36 degrees Celsius on Monday, 38 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, 36 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and 36 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
