NT Health has issued severe and extreme health alerts as unsurprisingly high temperatures continue to persist in rural areas this week, as the Build-Up takes over.

Emergency alerts were issued for Bark Hut and Berry Springs for today and tomorrow (October 12 and 13), which may be downgraded to a ‘watch and act’ alert on Saturday, October 14.

NT Health is urging residents and visitors to take necessary precautions to avoid heat stroke and becoming dehydrated.

NT Health has also issued a level two ‘watch and act’ alerts for “severe heat” from today until Saturday (October 14) for Acacia Hills, Adelaide River, Belyuen, Florence Falls, Howard Springs, Humpty Doo, Noonamah, Tjaynera Falls, and Wangi Falls.

Coolalinga and Surprise Creek Falls are also under a level two ‘watch and act’ alert for October 13, which could be extended to October 14.

To avoid heat-related illness, NT Health advises residents to stay in air-conditioned areas if possible and seek out shady areas with a breeze, decrease physical activities and drink cold water, wear lightweight and loose clothing and wide-brimmed hats, and use fans and damp towels to lower body temperature.

Residents should also watch out for signs of heat stress, which include tiredness, headaches, dizziness or fainting, confusion leading to poor decision-making, muscle cramps, thirstiness, and infrequent urination.

People suffering from heat stress should immediately seek ways to bring down their temperatures and seek medical advice if symptoms persist, or call 000.

More information on extreme heat can be found on the government’s Heat Stress website.