Agra sizzles at 43°C, heatwave alert issued

Agra: Scorching temperatures in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra district are beginning to affect visitors to the Taj Mahal, with two tourists requiring medical attention over the weekend. The meteorological department recorded a maximum of 43°C on Sunday and warned it could rise to 45°C in the coming days, issuing a heatwave alert for the city.Officials said that on Sunday morning, 55-year-old Mitthu Rani Das from Assam collapsed near the Amarood Teela barrier at the West Gate while touring the monument with her husband. Her condition worsened due to the intense heat and she was taken to hospital.Sub-inspector Dashrath Singh Yadav, deployed at the West Gate, said, “An ambulance was arranged from the tourist facilitation centre and she was given first aid before being shifted to the district hospital, where she is undergoing treatment.”A day earlier, another visitor, Nalini Nagarajan from Tamil Nadu, suffered injuries after slipping on the premises due to dizziness. Central Industrial Security Force personnel assisted her and took her to the on-site dispensary, where doctors administered first aid and dressed her wound. Her condition is said to be stable.Authorities have introduced measures to counter the heatwave. Senior conservation assistant with the Archaeological Survey of India, Kalandar, said, “54 coolers have been installed inside the premises for visitors and staff, along with water dispensers at designated spots. A dispensary with a doctor is available near the royal gate and shoe covers are being provided so tourists do not have to remove footwear and expose themselves to the heat while visiting the mausoleum.

”Agra chief medical officer Arun Kumar Srivastava advised visitors to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor exposure during peak hours and consume light meals to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.