News
UNICEF warns of severe risks to children amidst South Asia’s heatwave
UNICEF has said that it is deeply concrened about the health and safety of babies and young children caused as a result of severe heatwave that has been engulfing several countries in South Asia. The rising temperatures, that is predicted to reach up to 47°C, pose significant risks to millions of children who are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. The Indian Meteorological Department and Pakistan’s Meteorological Department have issued warnings of extreme danger, prompting urgent measures to safeguard the young and vulnerable populations.
According to UNICEF, children are at an increased risk during extreme heat events because they cannot regulate their body temperatures as well as adults. This can cause health related issues such as dehydration, heat strokes, and other severe conditions like rapid heartbeat, cramps, confusion, and even coma. In addition to this, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can adversely affect children’s brain development, potentially causing long-term cognitive issues.
In order to reduce and mitigate these risks, UNICEF has advised parents and caregivers to be vigilent about keeping children hydrated and cool. Experts have recommended use of simple measures such as using ice packs, fans, and spraying water, which can help lower body temperature. For older children, an effective strategy is cold water immersion. In addition to this, loose clothing and frequent checks for symptoms of heat stress, such as, excessive thirst, dry mouth, and dizziness, are extremely important. The organisation has urged parents to seek immediate medical attention if a child is exhibiting severe symptoms like high fever or rapid breathing.
UNICEF also emphasizes the need for health workers to be equipped to identify and treat heat stress symptoms promptly. The organization has provided guidelines to help frontline workers, families, and caregivers recognize and respond to heat-related illnesses efficiently. These steps are vital, especially in regions like South Asia, where a significant percentage of children are exposed to extreme temperatures for extended periods each year.
The implications of rising temperatures extend beyond immediate health concerns. For pregnant women, extreme heat can result in early contractions, preterm births, and even stillbirths. Premature babies are at higher risk of death, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures. South Asia has one of the highest percentages of children exposed to extreme temperatures, with a UNICEF analysis indicating that 76% of children under 18 in the region faced extreme high temperatures in 2020. Furthermore, 28% of these children were exposed to multiple heatwaves annually.
Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for Multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal deep sea areas
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 05.00 p.m. 18 September 2026, valid for the next 24 hours.
PLEASE BE AWARE!
The atmospheric disturbance to the North of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, is likely to develop into a low pressure area within the next 24 hours.
Due to its influence, wind speed over the Bay of Bengal sea areas will increase during the next few days starting from
tomorrow (19th).
The wind speed in the sea areas marked under the “Advisory” category on the map below will increase to 55-65 kmph at times and those sea areas will be rough or very rough at times.
Navel and fishing communities engaging the activities over this sea area are advised to be vigilant and be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the department of Meteorology in this regards.
Text and Pic by Priyan de Silva
Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake has questioned whether some promises contained in the National People’s Power (NPP) manifesto, A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life, could be fulfilled even if the government wanted to implement them.
Dissanayake raised the issue during a discussion following the release of the third biannual report on manifesto monitoring by the March 12 Movement, at the BMICH, on Wednesday.
He questioned whether the report had taken into account legal and institutional constraints affecting the implementation of certain pledges.
Citing the proposal to establish Anti-Corruption Investigation Offices in each district, Dissanayake said such offices could be established only with the agreement of CIABOC and that amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act would be necessary.
He also referred to the pledge to abolish the Executive Presidency, noting that successive governments had made similar commitments since 1994. He questioned whether there had been adequate consideration of where the powers vested in the Executive President would be transferred if the system were abolished.
On the proposal to establish a Public Prosecutor, Dissanayake questioned whether the Government intended to maintain the office alongside the Attorney General, who currently performs prosecution-related functions.
Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) Manjula Gajanayake said Dissanayake’s remarks should be regarded as his personal views and not as Government policy.
Monitoring and Evaluation Consultants M. Thilakarajah and D.D. Mataharaarachchi presented the third-phase findings, covering January to June 2026.
The corruption case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against former Navy Commander, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, and Yoshitha Rajapaksa was set for a pre-trial conference by the Colombo High Court.
The case was taken up before the Colombo High Court on Thursday (17), when the accused, who are currently out on bail, appeared before the court. After considering the submissions made, the court ordered that the case be called for a pre-trial conference.
The CIABOC had filed the case against the accused, alleging that a corruption offence was committed by sending Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, for training at the Royal Naval College in the United Kingdom despite him not having the required qualifications.
Advisory for strong winds and rough seas for Multi-day boats in the Bay of Bengal
Showers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya Districts
Some NPP manifesto promises may be difficult to fulfil – CIABOC DG
Yoshitha and ex-Navy chief Karannagoda’s case fixed for PTC
Court orders probe into Wimal’s rally speech
Court to rule on Dilith’s writ petition on September 30
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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