A deadly heatwave in India claimed the lives of 56 individuals between March and May 2024, as reported by local media citing government data.
Reuters has revealed that the ongoing heatwave has resulted in approximately 25,000 cases of suspected heat stroke in the country.
The situation worsened in May, particularly in India’s capital city, New Delhi, and the neighboring state of Rajasthan, where temperatures soared to a scorching 50 degrees Celsius.
In contrast, the eastern part of the country has been experiencing the consequences of cyclone Remal, whereas substantial precipitation in the northeastern state of Assam has resulted in the loss of at least 14 lives since the previous Tuesday.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of Sri Lanka, heavy monsoon rain in the country has resulted in flooding and landslides, leading to the unfortunate loss of at least 15 lives.
The combination of various elements has resulted in an extremely hot summer in South Asia, a phenomenon that scientists claim has been exacerbated by climate change caused by human activity.
On Friday, a total of 33 individuals, including election officials who were on duty during India’s recently concluded general election, tragically lost their lives due to suspected heatstroke. These unfortunate incidents occurred in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, as well as in the eastern state of Odisha.
According to an article on The Print, data provided by the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) reveals that the month of May witnessed the highest number of heat-related fatalities, with a total of 46 deaths and 19,189 suspected cases of heat stroke. Another report from The Hindu suggests that the actual number of deaths in India, including those suspected to be heat-related, could be significantly higher, reaching up to 80.
In the central state of Madhya Pradesh alone, more than 5,000 instances of heatstroke were recorded.
According to the weather office, the intensity of the heatwave is anticipated to decrease until Wednesday. Additionally, there is hope for further relief with the early onset of the monsoon in Kerala, a southern state, last week.
