Districts, hospitals put on emergency alert

All the district administrations and hospitals have been directed by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government to take special measures to handle any emergency situation during the heat wave which is expected to grip the province especially the southern districts from Sunday. Hospitals have been ordered to stock necessary medicines to deal with sun stroke cases on a large scale and ensure availability of beds and wards for such patients.

General public has been asked to avoid traveling in the noon and afternoon and stay inside as much as possible. They have been directed to keep themselves hydrated by drinking water regularly and keep their heads covered before leaving their homes to protect from direct sunlight. Rescue 1122 has also been put on alert.

Advisory for forest and wildlife department

K-P Forest, Environment and Wildlife Departments on Saturday issued separate advisories for protection of forest and wildlife species during the severe heat wave. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and K-P government have jointly issued advisories on the situation of heatwave starting from Sunday and on its basis K-P Forest Department has ordered special measures.

According to notification, every concerned conservator, divisional forest officer and wildlife department officials will be personally responsible for implementation of the advisory on forests, nurseries, national parks, Peshawar Zoo, other zoos, pheasantries and wildlife parks. “Forest department officials should direct field staff to keep hats and bottles of lemonade with them and cover their heads with soaked cloth, wear loose clothing, hydrate by drinking water regularly and avoid direct exposure to sunlight wherever possible,” says the notification.

The provision of first aid kits with the nearest health center identification and necessary assistance for heatstroke, hydration should be arranged at the place of actual deployment. For plants it is advisable to make a proper watering schedule in the morning or in the evening to protect it from damage, it says.

It has also been directed that those plants that needs more water such as ornamental plants should be watered regularly while defective, leaking water bowsers and pipes should be repaired on emergency basis. “Ensure the presence of staff on time and provide additional janitors temporarily where needed. It is also advised to refrain from sowing seeds in the planting area till the last week of June,” the notification says.

“Shade should be arranged in nurseries to protect sapling from heat and direct sunlight,” it adds. Similarly, wildlife crews are required to ensure regular replacement of drinking water in the respective water ponds, tubs, pots twice daily (morning and afternoon) to ensure availability of fresh water to animals and birds.

Instructions have been issued to ensure the water fountains availability at the zoo so that the birds can bathe and soak themselves. It has also been directed that arrangements should be made to provide cages with shelter at the top and sides and water should be sprinkled in the cages to ensure cooling of birds and animals and fans and coolers should be installed in animal houses and shelters for cooling purposes at the zoo.

All the staff has been ordered to ensure availability of medicines in case of illness of the animals. It has also been directed that juicy food should be provided such as fruits to feed specific animals and meet their body water needs. The advisory also directed the provision of hats to protect the staff, working in the department of wildlife cages and facilities, from direct sun light. “Bottles of water should be provided to the staff for use in field duty and cold water facility should be provided to both the visitors and the staff through water points at different places.

The advisory also directed the wildlife department to arrange seating and inform visitors especially families and children to visit zoo and parks during the morning or evening to avoid heat strokes. The district administration has also been directed to strengthen coordination with Rescue 1122, field staff and police. (WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)