Heatwave Claims Lives in India as Temperatures Soar
MUMBAI — The scorching heat in northern and central India has led to multiple fatalities in the past 24 hours, with several regions grappling with heat-related ailments.
Ten people succumbed to heat-related illnesses at the government hospital in Odisha’s Rourkela region on Thursday, according to officials speaking to Reuters news agency.
Reports of heat-stroke related deaths have also emerged from Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and the national capital, Delhi.
The blistering heatwave coincides with India’s ongoing general election, adding to the challenges faced by the population.
Mahendra Kumar, district magistrate of Bhojpur district in Bihar, shared with the Times of India that three election officers and a policeman perished due to heat stroke on Thursday.
“It was the hottest day, and despite having medical facilities at all centers, they collapsed. One home guard [volunteer policeman] became unconscious where he was staying,” Mr. Kumar stated, highlighting the severity of the situation.
He also mentioned that a significant number of individuals were admitted to hospitals on Thursday due to heat-related issues.
Hospitals in various regions are witnessing a surge in admissions due to heat-related ailments, with one laborer in Delhi losing his life while undergoing treatment for a heat stroke.
India’s National Centre for Disease Control has labeled heat strokes as a “life-threatening” condition, with a mortality rate ranging from 40 to 64%.
The relentless heatwave in northern, central, and parts of western India has seen temperatures soaring to 45-46C for days on end, reaching up to 50C in certain areas.
Shortages of water and electricity are being reported in several regions due to increased consumption, leading to a spike in fires across the country. Authorities are even utilizing drones to monitor forest fires in Jammu and Kashmir.
Recent days have seen record-breaking temperatures in and around Delhi, with residents facing water scarcity and frequent power outages.
Officials are investigating whether the extreme temperature of 52.9C recorded in the Mungeshpur area on Wednesday was a result of a sensor malfunction at a nearby weather station.
A study published in The Lancet revealed a 55% rise in deaths attributed to extreme heat in India between 2000-2004 and 2017-2021, with a significant loss of labor hours noted in 2021 due to heat exposure.
Experts warn that heatwaves in India are becoming longer, more intense, and more frequent, posing a grave threat to the population. — BBC
