What is the Cold Wave?

It should be based on the actual minimum temperature of a station. Cold Wave is considered when the minimum temperature of a station is 10°C or less for plains and 0°C or less for hilly regions..

1) Based on Departure

i) Cold Wave (CW): Negative Departure from normal is 4.5°C to 6.4°C
ii) Severe Cold Wave (SCW): Negative Departure from normal is more than 6.4°C

2) Based on Actual Minimum Temperature (For plain stations only)

i) Cold Wave: When the minimum temperature is ≤ ०४°C
ii) Severe Cold Wave: When the minimum temperature is ≤ ०२°C

Types of Cold Waves

Based on Departure from Normal Temperature:
- Cold Wave (CW): Temperature drops by 5°C to 6.4°C below normal.
- Severe Cold Wave (SCW): Temperature drops by more than 6.4°C below normal.
Based on Actual Minimum Temperature (for plain stations only):
- Cold Wave: Minimum temperature ≤ 4°C
- Severe Cold Wave: Minimum temperature ≤ 2°C

Precautions During Cold Waves

Use clean, sun-dried warm clothes, blankets, and bedding during winter.
Stay indoors as much as possible and avoid unnecessary travel.
Keep your body dry. If clothes get wet, change them immediately to prevent heat loss.
Use mittens (joined gloves) instead of fingered gloves to retain more warmth.
Stay updated with weather alerts via radio, TV, newspapers, and local authorities.
Drink warm beverages regularly.
Take special care of the elderly and children.
Store sufficient water as pipes may freeze below the freezing point.
Watch for signs of frostbite such as numbness, pale fingers, earlobes, and nose tips.
Do not use hot water directly on frostbitten areas; use lukewarm water instead.
Stock up on food, water, and other essentials.
Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from cold air.

Cold Wave Related Illnesses, Symptoms, and First Aid

1) Hypothermia

What is Hypothermia?
A dangerous drop in body temperature due to prolonged exposure to cold. Typically occurs when body temperature falls below 34.4°C (94°F).

Stages of Hypothermia:

Mild: 90°F to 95°F
Moderate: 82°F to 89°F
Severe: Below 82°F

Symptoms: Shivering, dizziness, drowsiness, irritability, confusion, slurred speech, blurred vision.

First Aid:

Call emergency services (Dial 108).
Move the person to a warm place and change wet clothes immediately.
Warm the center of the body first (chest, neck, head, and groin) using blankets or electric heating if available.
Use blankets, towels, and warm clothing to retain body heat.
Give warm drinks (not alcohol).
Do not give fluids orally if the person is unconscious.
Even after warming, keep the person wrapped with head and neck covered.
If the person is unresponsive, perform CPR.
Take the person to a healthcare facility as soon as possible.

2) Frostbite

What is Frostbite?
Freezing of body tissues due to extreme cold. Often occurs alongside hypothermia. Ice crystals form in skin cells, disrupting circulation and causing tissue damage. Commonly affects cheeks, feet, ears, nose, and hands.

Symptoms: Red or grayish skin, tingling, numbness, yellowish skin, cold and stiff exposed body parts.

First Aid:

Move the person to a warm room immediately.
Avoid walking with frostbitten feet to prevent further damage.
Soak the affected area in lukewarm water (not hot). A non-affected person should test the water temperature.
Use body heat (e.g., armpits) to warm frostbitten fingers.
Do not rub or massage the affected area.
Avoid using heating pads, stoves, fireplaces, or radiators directly.
Seek medical help if necessary.

3) Chilblains

What are Chilblains?
Chilblains occur due to prolonged exposure to cold, damp, and humid weather (between 32–60°F). They commonly affect exposed skin areas such as ears, nose, cheeks, fingers, and toes.

Symptoms:
Pale pink or colorless skin, pain with prickling sensation, numbness, swelling and redness, itching, and in severe cases, blistering.

What to do:

Avoid further exposure to cold.
Do not scratch the affected area.
Warm the affected skin gradually; do not rub or massage.
Apply corticosteroid cream for itching and swelling.
Use sterile and dry dressings.
Keep blisters and wounds clean and covered.
Seek medical help if necessary.

4) Dehydration

What is Dehydration?
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it consumes, impairing normal bodily functions. It increases the risk of cold-related injuries.

Symptoms:
Dark urine, headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, dry mouth/tongue/throat/lips, loss of appetite, irritability, stomach cramps or vomiting, increased heart rate.

What to do:

Drink water or warm fluids.
Avoid caffeinated beverages.
Do not consume ice.
Take adequate rest.
Seek medical help if needed.

5) Cracked Heels

Why do Cracked Heels Occur?
Prolonged exposure to cold water or mud causes the skin tissues on the feet to darken and die, leading to painful cracks.

Symptoms:
Redness, numbness, swelling or lumps, tingling, blisters or ulcers, internal bleeding, gangrene (purple, blue, or grey discoloration of feet).

What to do:

Remove wet shoes and socks, and dry feet with a cloth.
Avoid walking if possible to prevent tissue damage.
Apply warm packs or soak feet in lukewarm water (102°–110°F) for about 5 minutes.
Seek medical help if needed.

Cold Wave Advisory for Specific Groups

1) Elderly People

Elderly individuals lose body heat quickly. A body temperature below 35°C can lead to serious health issues.
Cold waves can be life-threatening. Be cautious during temperature drops.
Wear loose layers of warm clothing covering head, neck, hands, and feet.
Avoid going out early morning or late night. If necessary, wear waterproof jackets and change wet clothes immediately.
Eat nutritious food and take medications on time.
Drink warm fluids and avoid alcohol.
Stay in touch with neighbors, family, and friends via phone.
If homeless, go to the nearest shelter at night.
In emergencies, call 108 and contact local ambulance services.

2) Residents of Hilly Areas

Cold waves in hilly regions pose risks like hypothermia, frostbite, and pulmonary edema.
Always check weather forecasts before going out.
Inform family members about nearby medical centers, shelters, and contact numbers.
Keep water, food, and clothes in waterproof bags.
Pay special attention to the elderly, children, and sick individuals.
Keep homes warm.
Do not ignore symptoms of oxygen deficiency or breathing difficulties.

3) Outdoor Workers

Cold waves severely affect outdoor workers such as farmers, fishermen, laborers, vegetable vendors, rickshaw drivers, newspaper sellers, sanitation workers, migrant herders, street vendors, police, etc.
Migrant workers from warm regions are also at risk.
Cover all exposed body parts and wear warm clothing. Use waterproof clothing if handling wet materials.
Change wet clothes immediately.
Work during the warmest hours of the day and take breaks when possible.
Rest and consume warm fluids after returning home.

4) Homeless Individuals

Homeless people are highly vulnerable during cold waves due to lack of shelter and warm clothing. Fatalities are common.
They should seek shelter in government or free housing facilities, especially if accompanied by children or elderly.
Immediate relocation to shelters is advised.

Cold Wave and Animal Safety

Animals in the following categories are at higher risk during cold waves and need special attention:

Newborn and young animals
Animals with a history of respiratory illness
Lactating animals
Animals with weak health

Cold Wave-Related Disorders in Animals

Cold waves can cause several health issues in animals, including:

Disorder	Symptoms	What to Do
Hypothermia	Low body temperature, shivering, lethargy, depression, shock	· Avoid grazing animals in extremely cold mornings. · Do not keep animals outdoors at night. · Wrap animals in warm blankets.
Frostbite	Pale, hardened skin, blisters with darkening, risk of gangrene	· Avoid grazing cold mornings. · Keep animals indoors at night. · Warm affected area with lukewarm water.
Cough in Dogs	Respiratory symptoms like coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, sore throat, wheezing	· Ensure timely vaccination and veterinary care
Shock	Irregular heartbeat, weak pulse, low body temperature, pale gums	· Keep animals warm with blankets. · Seek veterinary care immediately

Guidelines for Animal Owners

Dos:

– Store adequate fodder, water, and essential supplies like medicines.

– Keep animals in sheds at night with dry bedding.

– Maintain contact details of nearby veterinary centers, private doctors, and medical stores.

– Increase protein and mineral content in animal feed.

– Provide mineral-rich nutritious food, salt, grains, wheat, and jaggery.

– In poultry farming, use artificial lighting to keep chicks warm.

Don’ts:

– Do not take animals out for grazing in extremely cold mornings.

– Do not keep animals outdoors at night.

Guidelines for Farmers to Prevent Crop Damage

Cold waves and fog can lead to pest infestations, fungal diseases, crop injuries, and black rot. Timely weather updates from IMD and local authorities can help farmers take preventive measures.

Do’s:

– Water crops in the evening at specific intervals to protect them from cold.

– Cover newly planted and young fruit trees with straw, polythene sheets, cloth, or sacks.

– Cover banana bunches with breathable polythene bags or cloth.

– Keep fields weed-free to allow sunlight and retain soil warmth.

– In rice nurseries, cover beds with polythene sheets at night and remove them in the morning. Water in the evening and drain in the morning.

– For mustard, kidney beans, and chickpeas, spray diluted solutions of:

– **Sulfuric acid @ 0.1%** (1 liter H₂SO₄ in 1000 liters water)

– **Thiourea @ 500 ppm** (500g in 1000 liters water)

– In cold wave-prone areas, plant alternate rows of companion crops.

– Prune damaged parts of trees by late February or early March and spray copper-based fungicides. Provide NPK fertilizers with irrigation.

Don’ts:

– Avoid adding nutrients to soil during cold weather, as root activity is low and absorption is poor.

– Do not disturb the soil surface, as loosening it may reduce heat transfer from deeper layers.