New Delhi, April 28 -- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged States and Union Territories to strengthen preparedness in view of heatwave conditions expected during the upcoming summer months.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretaries of States and UTs, Secretary of the Ministry, Punya Salila Srivastava, stated that above-normal heatwave days are likely from April to June 2026 across parts of East, Central, and North-West India, as well as the South-East Peninsula, based on forecasts by the India Meteorological Department.

The Ministry has directed States and UTs to operationalise dedicated heatstroke management units at all health facilities, ensure preparedness of ambulance services, disseminate early warnings, and m...