Climate change: Delhi government to prepare road map

Worried over the change in climatic conditions and its impact on the health of residents, the Delhi government's health department is preparing a road map on how to deal with the seasonal changes in the Capital. The department will submit its report to the Centre about the measures should be taken if there is sudden rain in winters or if a storm arises in summer.

A meeting was held on Wednesday to prepare the plan. According to the sources, the Department of Health has given the time of three weeks to the stakeholders for submitting the first draft of the plan. Over the past few years, rise in the global temperature has set new records which is leading to increase in the number of extreme weather events.

"The pattern of the season is changing. Sometimes, there is a sudden spell of rain in winter season while in summers, the mercury turns to the highest point. All these factors are also affecting the overall health scenario. We all need to stay updated and alert before the situation turns extreme," said a senior Delhi government official.

As per the plan, the officials will include the type of disease and how they are changing with the weather. The roadmap will also suggest ways to make the public aware and cover training programs for doctors and paramedical staff.

"Nowadays, the disease pattern is changing. The vectors now last longer than earlier and are no longer confined to only one month. It is important for the health department to adapt itself. The system has to be designed to access the magnitude of the climate. We also need better environmental improvement measures. The sanitation and waste management in the Capital should be improved in the first place, so as to prevent the disease from taking place. If the department will respond to these climate changes immediately, then it will help the city to improve the health conditions in the future," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director-research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

12 CASES OF DENGUE

Delhiites, this year, have been complaining about mosquitoes swarming the Capital. A total of 12 cases of dengue and four cases each of malaria and chikungunya have been reported in the Capital in the current season. "While we cannot change the nature, we should put our focus on uplifting the amenities in the government set up. Cases, this time, are sporadic in nature and doctors just need to stay alert," said Dr S Chatterjee, department of internal medicine, Indraprastha Apollo hospital.