Noida/Greater Noida: With temperatures dropping sharply across the National Capital Region, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Gautam Buddh Nagar, under the direction of District Magistrate (DM) Medha Rupam, has issued a detailed cold wave safety advisory starting December 1. The notice urges residents to adopt layered protection measures, ensure proper ventilation while using heating equipment, and seek immediate medical help if symptoms of hypothermia or frostbite appear.
The administration has categorized the ongoing situation as a severe seasonal cold spell and reinforced that the intent of the advisory is not only to protect public health but also to prevent fatal risks caused by toxic fumes inside closed rooms, especially during night hours when heaters, blowers, or coal-fired stoves are commonly used. Residents have also been encouraged to track real-time weather updates through verified sources such as radio and mobile alerts.
DM Medha Rupam emphasized that during the use of coal-based ‘angithi’, mud stoves, room heaters, blowers, or bonfires, a proper space must be kept open for airflow, preventing accumulation of poisonous gases and smoke indoors. The DM also cautioned people to keep the body dry, avoid wet clothing, and refrain from wearing tight outfits that constrict blood flow.
Ensure ventilation while using heaters or scrap-based chulha; frontline staff to assist vulnerable groups with blankets
Elaborating on preventive steps, the administration said all homes, shelters, and animal enclosures should have insulation without compromising ventilation. Animal sheds and bird coops must be temporarily covered with cloth or boards to block cold winds but should retain enough open space for fresh air to circulate.
Authorities have also instructed local tehsils, tahsildars, and revenue officers including lekhpals and lekhpal assistants to assist homeless, disabled, mentally challenged, sick, and destitute individuals, providing free blankets via Public Distribution-led outreach channels. Vulnerable cases will be reported through tehsil offices and regional revenue networks to expedite support.
Officials clearly outlined symptoms requiring urgent medical attention:
- Hypothermia signs: abnormally low body temperature, confusion, memory loss, unconsciousness, extreme shivering, fatigue, disorientation, slurred speech, lethargy
- Frostbite signs: numbness in body parts, white or pale-yellow patches on skin, discoloration on fingers, toes, ears, nose and extremities
Do’s during cold wave
- Stay indoors as much as possible
- Avoid unnecessary travel
- Wear loose-fitting woolens in multiple layers
- Keep head, neck, hands, and toes fully covered
- Massage the body using body cream, petroleum jelly, or oil to retain heat
- Eat Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables
- Drink warm beverages and fluids
- Use sunlight exposure as natural cold protection
Track winter weather updates here
- Local radio stations
- Television bulletins
- Daily newspapers
- Mobile phone alerts and official advisories
