Ramesh, 42, a government office peon in Kanpur, walked 3 km to work every day in April heat. He carried no water bottle — “Yaar, paani toh office mein milega” — and skipped breakfast because he was running late.

By 1 PM, Ramesh felt dizzy and nauseous. He thought it was acidity. By 2 PM, he collapsed in the corridor. His skin was hot and dry — no sweat. His colleagues thought he had simply fainted from weakness.

A nurse from the adjacent health centre recognized the signs immediately — high body temperature (106°F), confusion, no sweating. She called 108 and started first aid: wet cloth on neck, forehead, and armpits, fanning continuously.

Ramesh spent 2 days in hospital and recovered fully. Today he carries a 1-litre bottle everywhere and has shared this story with his entire mohalla. “Doctor ne bataya — 30 minute aur late hota, toh kidney fail ho sakti thi.”

👴Elderly (60+ years)

Reduced ability to sense thirst and regulate temperature. Often no AC during power cuts.

बुज़ुर्गों को प्यास कम लगती है — यही सबसे बड़ा खतरा है।

👶Children Under 5

Cannot communicate thirst; lose body water faster than adults.

छोटे बच्चे जल्दी dehydrate होते हैं।

🏗️Outdoor Workers

Farmers, construction workers, rickshaw pullers, road workers — most exposed.

खेत और सड़क पर काम करने वाले सबसे ज़्यादा जोखिम में।

🩺Diabetics & Heart Patients

Impaired circulation and slower autonomic response to heat.

शुगर और दिल के मरीज़ों को विशेष सावधानी।

🟡 Early Warning Signs
हल्के इशारे (Heat Exhaustion)

🔴 RED FLAG Signs — Call 108!
तुरंत 108 कॉल करें!

💧Hydrate relentlessly — even without thirst

Drink 3–4 litres of water daily. Home ORS: 1 litre water + 6 tsp sugar + ½ tsp salt. Drink one glass before leaving home, one every hour outdoors.

प्यास न लगे तब भी पानी पियें। घर का ORS: 1 लीटर पानी + 6 चम्मच चीनी + आधा चम्मच नमक।

🥭Aam Panna — India’s original heat shield

Raw mango drink replenishes electrolytes and provides Vitamin C. Boil raw mangoes, add jeera, kala namak, and sugar. Drink 1–2 glasses daily.

कच्चे आम का पना — गर्मी में शरीर को ठंडा रखता है और electrolytes देता है।

🌾Sattu Sharbat — Bihar and UP’s superfood

Roasted gram flour with water, lemon, and black salt — cooling, filling, and protein-rich. Better than most commercial sports drinks.

सत्तू शरबत — शरीर को ठंडक और ताकत दोनों देता है।

👕Dress smart: Cotton, loose, light colours only

White/cream loose cotton reflects heat. Cover your head with a cotton dupatta or cap — never go bare-headed midday.

सफेद-हल्के रंग के ढीले सूती कपड़े पहनें। सिर ज़रूर ढकें।

⏰Reschedule your day around the sun

Avoid outdoors between 11 AM – 4 PM. Shift markets, commutes, exercise, and fieldwork to early morning or evening.

दोपहर 11 से 4 बजे तक घर के अंदर रहें।

🥗Eat light and cooling foods

Cucumber (kheera), watermelon (tarbooz), curd (dahi), mint (pudina), buttermilk (chaas/lassi), coconut water. Avoid heavy, oily, spicy food at lunch.

खीरा, तरबूज़, दही, पुदीना, छाछ, नारियल पानी — गर्मी के 6 दोस्त।

“In my 25 years of practice, I have seen too many heat stroke deaths that should never have happened. The tragedy is always the same — a family that thought the patient was ‘just tired,’ waited too long, and lost precious minutes. Heat stroke kills not because medicine is unavailable, but because recognition is delayed. This summer, I urge every Indian family to memorize three things: drink water before you feel thirsty, call 108 the moment someone stops sweating in extreme heat, and never give paracetamol for heat stroke. These three rules will save more lives than any hospital.”

पानी पियो, लक्षण पहचानो, 108 पर कॉल करो — यही तीन चीज़ें इस गर्मी में जान बचाएंगी।

लू सिर्फ गर्मी नहीं — यह जानलेवा हो सकती है। 108 तुरंत करें।

गर्मी में रोज़ 3-4 लीटर पानी — प्यास न लगे तब भी।

पसीना बंद और गर्म-सूखी त्वचा — तुरंत ठंडा करें और 108 करें।

लू में Crocin काम नहीं करती — यह fever नहीं है।

आम पना, सत्तू, ORS, नारियल पानी — गर्मी के असली दोस्त।

दोपहर 11 से 4 बजे तक घर में रहें।

बुज़ुर्ग, बच्चे, और मज़दूर — इनका रोज़ ध्यान रखें।