Hospitals told to set up flood & heatwave control rooms by May 18

Gurgaon: The health department has directed all districts to set up dedicated control rooms for heatwave- and flood-related illnesses in govt hospitals across the state by May 18.

The move comes as the state prepares for the dual challenge of extreme summer heat and the upcoming monsoon season, both of which are associated with increased risks of dehydration, heatstroke, diarrhoeal illnesses and vector-borne diseases.

“A dedicated control room in all district hospitals may be made operational with effect from May 18, 2026, for coordination and monitoring of health-related issues arising due to flood, heatwave and drought situations,” a letter by the director general of health services (DGHS), Haryana, Dr Manish Bansal, read.

The letter also instructed civil surgeons of all districts to ensure round-the-clock monitoring and rapid response to climate-related public health emergencies. Details of nodal officers and contacts of the control rooms were also asked to be shared immediately.

The department further made daily reporting of any public health incident or outbreak linked to floods, heatwaves or drought mandatory.

“Daily reporting of any flood/heatwave/drought-related public health incident/outbreak shall be ensured to the State Headquarters as per prescribed protocol,” the communication stated.

Authorities were told to ensure the availability of infrastructure such as separate rooms, internet connectivity, telephones, scanners, photocopiers and computer operators for continuous reporting and coordination.

“Adequate preparedness may also be ensured with regard to availability of essential medicines, ORS, emergency medical teams, ambulances, disease surveillance and public health measures during the flood/heatwave season,” the letter noted.

As part of preparedness measures, Haryana will conduct a state-level mock exercise on flood disaster scenarios on May 14 across 13 flood-prone districts, including Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ambala, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat and Yamunanagar.

The officials concerned have been directed to participate in the mock exercise, along with a preparatory tabletop exercise scheduled for May 14 from district headquarters.