Times of India
1 April 2010
Ahmedabad, India

After the recent heat wave, wherein the temperature touched nearly 43 degrees, there is a spell of relief now as the temperatures have returned to normal. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 38 degrees.

The cold winds blowing in the morning and evening have rendered the weather pleasant. However, a health hazard preying on vulnerable ciitzens, say doctors.

Director of the India Meteorology Department (IMD), Gujarat Dr Kamaljeet Ray said the city is experiencing strong south–easterly winds in the morning and evening. “This has rendered the weather pleasant. Moreover, the maximum city temperature has also reduced to 38 degrees which will offer some relief to the citizens,” said Ray. According to her, this relief is generally expected till about 15 days after the heat wave.

The night temperatures too have gone down to 23 degrees. With strong cool winds blowing, citizens are experiencing a sharp difference in the temperature. Doctors say heat in the afternoon and chill in the nights and morning is dual weather which has led to a spurt in the virus.

“Apart from the sunstroke where patients are coming with high grade fever and excessive body ache, there is also a spurt in the cases of viral infection.

“Due to dual weather, the cold and cough is lingering for nearly 10–12 days in patients. The virus tends to spread faster in such a double weather and more and more people are falling prey”, says physician Dr Sailesh Bhatt.

Dr Bhatt said that number of gastro–enteritis infection is also on the rise. “People should avoid drinking cold water in the afternoon and exposing themselves to hot and cold weather. Body should be allowed to adjusut to the difference in temperature”, said Dr Bhatt.