Stay indoors, Stay hydrated: Severe heatwave warning for Telangana

Hyderabad: A severe heatwave warning has been issued for parts of northeast Telangana where maximum temperatures are reaching 47°Celsius as Cyclone Mocha brings dry hot winds from the Middle East.

In the next 10 days, the temperature may rise to 42–43° in Hyderabad and 45–48° in many places.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Telangana is most likely to experience dry weather with maximum temperature increasing by 2–4°C from 10 to 15 May.

Cyclonic storm Mocha, moving over southeast Bay of Bengal, moved northwest at 8 km/h during the last six hours and was centered on 11 May at 8.30 a.m. in the same area near 11.4°N latitude and longitude 88.0°E, approximately 510 km west-southwest of Port Blair, 1,190 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh), and 1,100 km southwest of Sittwe (Myanmar).

According to the IMD, the cyclone is expected to continue moving northwest and will gradually intensify into a severe storm by Thursday evening. It is expected to gradually renew, move northeastward from the morning of 12 May, and intensify into a severe storm over the central Bay of Bengal by the evening of 12 May.

Cyclone Mocha will be strongest around 13 May. It is likely to cross southeastern Bangladesh and northern Myanmar between Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, and Kyaukpyu, Myanmar near Sittwe on 14 May at noon with a maximum wind speed of 140–150 km/h, gust 165 km/h.

Brief respite for Hyderabad

Cyclone Mocha, meanwhile, brought some relief for Hyderabadis with surprise rains. Despite a heatwave warning in Hyderabad and neighbouring regions, surprise showers, triggered by Cyclone Mocha, gave respite to Hyderabadis on Thursday.

According to Telangana Weatherman T Balaji, “This kind of rain generally takes place while a cyclone is forming; however, as soon as the cyclone starts to upward push, the warmth could be intense. Meanwhile, in rural Telangana, the temperature crossed 44°C on May 11, 2023, and the temperatures go higher in the coming days.”

Stay hydrated during heatwave

Doctors around the city are asking citizens to stay hydrated during the heatwave and also take protection from direct sunlight by staying indoors during peak heat hours.

Dr Sai Ram, a senior government doctor, said, “The weather changes in summer have been erratic. With the intense heatwaves, it is important for people to not venture out during the peak hours from noon to 4 p.m.”

Here are some tips to stay hydrated during a heatwave:

1. Drink water—and plenty of it!

Daily fluid intake recommendations vary by age and sex or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Start by drinking a cup of water each morning when you wake up or a glass before bed. Have another glass with every meal. Drink one or two cups after working out. To ward off dehydration, drink fluids gradually throughout the day.

2. Know the signs of dehydration

Does your skin feel dry, irritated, inflamed, itchy, or sensitive? That’s a sign of dehydration. Experiencing a headache or feeling dizzy or fatigued? These are signs too. Muscle cramps, rapid breathing, fainting, and not urinating (or having very dark yellow urine) are others. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, the simple solution is to get out of the heat and drink plenty of liquids. If your dehydration is severe let your healthcare expert know.

3. Check your urine

A good measurement of hydration is the colour of your urine. Pale urine, similar to the colour of straw, indicates proper hydration while darker urine is a sign that you need more water. A dark yellow or amber colour means you may have mild to severe dehydration. Of course, other medications and health conditions could affect this. If you’re concerned about the colour of your urine, consult with your health provider.

4. Avoid alcohol, sugary drinks, and/or caffeine

Tricky fact—some liquids work against hydration! Drinks like coffee, sugary sodas, beer, wine and hard liquor, lemonade, sweet tea, energy drinks, smoothies, and flavoured milk are all culprits. They are loaded with sugar, sodium, and other ingredients that remove water from your tissues. Consider swapping some of these out daily or rehydrating with more water for each dehydrating drink you consume.

5. Cool down

Proper hydration isn’t just about drinking water—it’s about regulating your body temperature, too. During summer, when the risk for heat stroke is at its highest, wear light, loose-fitting clothing in light colours; schedule strenuous sports and physical activities during cooler times of the day; protect yourself from the sun with hats and other shade accessories; take drink breaks often; and mist yourself with a spray bottle if you become overheated.

6. Eat foods with high water content

Did you know that approximately 80% of our water intake comes from drinking water? The other 20% comes from food. All whole fruits and vegetables contain some water, but snack on these for maximum benefit: cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, radishes, peppers, cauliflower, watermelon, spinach, strawberries, broccoli, and grapefruit. They all contain 90% water or higher.

7. Replenish when you sweat

Playing a sport? Heading out on a hike? It’s essential to drink water throughout these activities. Your sweat rate, the humidity, and how long you’ve exercised are all factors to consider. Proper hydration means getting enough water before, during, and after exercise.

8. Choose water during flights

Airports and flights can be very dehydrating. It’s not easy to drink as much as you usually do when you’re on the go for summer vacation, and airplanes are known for low-humidity air, which contributes to low hydration at touchdown. Pack an empty reusable water bottle with you in your carry-on bag and then fill it up with water after going through security. Skip the vending machines at the airport and ask for water when the beverage cart passes by mid-flight.

9. Infuse with flavour

Not a frequent water drinker? Try sprucing up your water by adding a few simple ingredients. Limes, lemons, mint, oranges, berries, cucumbers, and other fruits improve the taste without artificial sweeteners or preservatives. This can help you drink more water than you usually do, too. You can also give coconut water a try. This mineral-rich liquid is packed with potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium, so it replenishes lost fluids and electrolytes from exercise and hot climates quickly.

10. Consider a probiotic

Our bodies are home to good and bad bacteria. They’re in our mouth, gut, and skin. Probiotics are living microorganisms found in yogurt and other cultured foods and supplements that can help improve your body’s bacteria. Taking a probiotic can help improve your immune system, protect against infection, and improve your digestion and absorption of food and nutrients—including water. Probiotics also help with several conditions associated with dehydration, including diarrhoea.