Over the past three days, India has experienced a severe heatwave, resulting in the deaths of over 50 people. In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, approximately 33 individuals have died due to the extreme heat.
These casualties included polling officials, security guards, and sanitation staff involved in the general election’s final voting phase on Saturday.
In Odisha (Orissa) state, officials reported that around 20 people have died from heat stroke.
India typically holds its general election during the summer months of April and May, but this year’s record-breaking temperatures have led to more frequent, intense, and prolonged heatwaves.
The federal health ministry has confirmed at least 56 heatstroke deaths between March 1 and May 30, with 24,849 heatstroke cases reported during this period.
However, state-wise figures suggest the actual number could be significantly higher.
Odisha’s district authorities reported 99 suspected heatstroke deaths in the past 72 hours, with 20 confirmed cases, according to the state’s Special Relief Commissioner.
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa stated that families of deceased election personnel would receive a compensation of 1.5 million rupees ($18,000; £14,000).
Rinwa also noted that a man standing in a queue to vote fainted due to the heat and was pronounced dead upon arrival at a health facility.
Suspected heat-related deaths have also been reported in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
The National Centre for Disease Control in India describes heat strokes as a “life-threatening” condition with a mortality rate of 40-64%.
For the past two weeks, temperatures in northern and central India, as well as parts of the west, have remained around 45-46°C, occasionally reaching 50°C.
However, the weather department forecasts a drop in temperatures with the onset of the monsoon.
Several regions are facing severe water and electricity shortages due to increased power consumption.
Videos from Delhi show people struggling to access water from tankers, and many parts of the capital are experiencing frequent power cuts.
Source-BBC
