Islamabad, Apr 9, 2025: Heatwave Alert has been issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) due to projected severe heatwaves in Punjab over the upcoming summer.
As climate patterns shift, projections indicate that such heat events will not only become more frequent but will also intensify in both duration and severity.
This alarming trend poses substantial risks to public health, agriculture, water resources, and the overall economy.
This demographic is more susceptible to heat-related health conditions, such as heatstroke, exhaustion, dehydration, and other serious heat-induced illnesses.
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The challenging conditions within educational institutions crowded classrooms, insufficient ventilation, and limited access to cooling or hydration exacerbate these health risks.
It is, therefore, crucial to immediately adopt measures to safeguard the well-being of both students and staff within educational settings.
Given the critical nature of this issue, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) urges immediate implementation of protective steps across all educational institutions, both public and private.
The following measures are recommended to mitigate the impact of heatwaves on students and staff:
i.Revision of School Timings:
Adjust school and college hours to avoid peak heat times, and consider shorter academic sessions or even early summer breaks if necessary to reduce exposure during extreme heat periods.
ii.Provision of Clean Drinking Water:
Ensure the continuous availability of clean, safe drinking water within educational premises, and emphasize the importance of regular hydration among students to prevent dehydration.
iii. Dress Code Guidelines:
Implement clear guidelines encouraging students to wear lightweight, breathable, and loose-fitting clothing to facilitate air circulation.
- Suspension of Outdoor Activities:
Suspend all outdoor physical and extracurricular activities when excessive heat is expected to ensure student safety during extreme conditions. - Improved Ventilation and Cooling Systems:
Enhance classroom ventilation by ensuring functional fans and cooling systems. Where possible, create shaded indoor areas to shield students from the sun’s harmful rays. - First Aid and Emergency Measures:
Establish well-equipped first aid stations in every educational institution, staffed with trained personnel to promptly address heat-related emergencies.
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vii. Awareness Campaigns:
Organize regular awareness sessions for both students and staff, focusing on the identification of heat-related symptoms and the proper first-aid response to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
viii. Collaboration with District Authorities:
Strengthen coordination with local District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to ensure the timely distribution of heatwave warnings and facilitate efficient responses.
These proactive strategies are essential to mitigate the detrimental effects of the impending heatwaves on students across Punjab.
Heatwave Alert should be a prompt reminder for authorities to act swiftly to protect vulnerable populations from the severe impacts of rising temperatures in the coming months.
