The unusual November cold wave gripping Maharashtra’s Pune, Nashik, and Ahilyanagar districts has led to a surge in hypothermia cases among infants. Hospitals have reported several cases, a worrying trend for a month that rarely experiences such extreme temperatures. Minimum temperatures have plummeted, with Shivajinagar in Pune recording 9.5°C, Ahilyanagar 8.3°C, and Nashik 10.6°C. These conditions, classified as near-cold wave phenomena, mark the earliest cold wave forecast this season in India, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This unexpected chill poses serious risks for neonates, as their underdeveloped thermoregulation systems make them highly vulnerable to sudden temperature drops.
Doctors have treated several infants with critical symptoms such as grunting, breathing difficulty, and dangerously low core body temperatures below 95°F (35°C). Specialists note that low birth weight babies, particularly those under 2.5 kg, are at heightened risk. Dr X from Sahyadri Hospitals emphasised that hypothermia can cause a cascade of health issues, including reduced cardiac output, organ damage, and, in severe cases, fatal outcomes. Rural areas have been disproportionately impacted, with delayed arrivals in government ambulances lacking heating provisions exacerbating the problem. One case from Akkalkot involved an eight-hour journey, resulting in severe hypothermia and multi-organ complications.
The situation highlights a significant gap in civic preparedness. The lack of heating devices in ambulances and unseasonal weather patterns underscore the pressing need for better medical infrastructure and climate resilience. Paediatric departments across hospitals have been instructed to enhance preventive measures, including the use of incubators and radiant warmers. However, experts stress that awareness among parents and timely interventions remain critical.
From a sustainability perspective, the unusual climatic conditions highlight the growing impact of climate change on urban and rural regions. Sudden temperature drops, previously confined to December or January, now disrupt November weather, challenging historical norms. Addressing these patterns requires collective action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its unpredictable consequences.
