Experts urge alertness over heat related risk

Kirtipur: Experts have warned of heat-related risk in the wake of rising temperatures.

The government has been urged to launch a proper policy and adopt strategies accordingly. During a programme organised by the Nepal Red Cross Society and the International Red Cross in the federal capital on Thursday, Pragya Pradhan from the UN-Habitat said the policies must be focused on victims of the heat wave.

It was not taken seriously till recent times, she said, underlining the need to ensure proper mechanisms, e.g. relief and treatment in case of a serious health risk of a heat wave.

However, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, said the government would regard it emergency once a huge number of people are affected by the heat wave. Further preparation, like an early warning system, will be ensured accordingly, he added.

Similarly, the CEO at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Dinesh Prasad Bhatta, said that the government would prepare a work plan on coping with heat related disasters. Programmes on public awareness, setting up cooling centre and distribution of drinking water would begin, he added.