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Govt efforts lag, heat death toll crosses 800 in Andhra, Telangana

HYDERABAD: The steep rise in sunstroke deaths in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is the result of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation index in the two states that stands at a critically high figure of 12 . This has now come to the fore, courtesy data released by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).The ultraviolet index or UV index is the standard measurement across the world used to understand the strength of sun rays at a particular place and time causing several skin ailments. The values of the UV index range from 0 to 11.Higher the index value, the greater is the potential for damage to the human body. Understandably then, an UV index of 12 indicates high risk of sunstroke and other skin ailments.The WMO predicts that the index will remain at an alarming 12 all through next week too.“High level of UV radiation, apart from local effects, is one of the major reasons for the increase in temperature near the Earth's surface,“ said Gufran Beig, chief programme scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology , Pune ­ the only institute that monitors the UV radiation in the country.Complete coverage: Heatwave engulfs IndiaData by WMO dubbed the radiation as 'dangerousextreme risk' and coded it with purple colour. "If UV radiation crosses the 11 mark, it means that it is extremely dangerous since one may suffer a sunstroke or various skin ailments within 30-60 minutes of exposure to the sun," said Beig.Incidentally, the UV radiation index -across the two states -was 9 in February. It is, however, expected to remain at 12 for some time now. "The radiation peaks between 12 pm and 3pm. At 1 pm, the radiation is at its highest, causing sunstroke. It only descends post 4 pm," said Beig. To avoid health hazards due to exposure to these radiations, doctors suggest the use of broad spectrum sunscreen lotions. "These days, people only look at the SPF value while buying a sunscreen lotion. Higher the SPF value, higher the protection. Most of these lotions only protect from UV B radiations," said Radha Shah, consultant dermatologist at Apollo Hospitals, adding, "Buying a lotion which protects from UV A radiations with SPF 30 may fully protect people from getting sunrelated ailments."