As temperatures rise and heatwaves sweep the nation, the Centre has urged states/UTs to assess their health facility readiness, according to a report from PTI. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan sent a letter to states/UTs on Saturday, emphasizing the need for sufficient stocks of essential medicines, ample drinking water, and functioning cooling systems in critical areas. The letter also highlights the start of daily surveillance for heat-related illnesses under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) from March 1 in all states and districts.

In other news, parts of Bengaluru experienced heavy rainfall today while Northern and Central India continued to suffer from intense heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) mentioned that heatwave conditions could ease in certain regions like Punjab, Haryana, south UP, and Kutch starting from Monday. Additionally, the IMD forecasted isolated heatwave conditions in Vidarbha, MP, Telangana, and West Rajasthan for today and tomorrow.

On Sunday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius, which is two degrees above the seasonal average, while the minimum temperature was 25.8 degrees Celsius, one degree above the seasonal average, according to the IMD. Relative humidity ranged from 62% to 36%.