NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Local media reported nearly 25,000 suspected heat stroke cases and 56 fatalities from March to May in India. The government data highlighted the severity of the heat wave across the country.
May proved challenging for the region, with temperatures in Delhi and Rajasthan hitting 50 degrees Celsius. The extreme heat posed significant risks to residents.
In a contrast, parts of eastern India have been reeling under the impact of cyclone Remal. Heavy rain in the north eastern state of Assam has killed 14 people since Tuesday.
The Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre reported 15 fatalities from flooding and landslides. Heavy monsoon rains devastated the region, exacerbating the situation.
A confluence of factors has led to a very hot summer in South Asia, a trend scientists say has been worsened by human-driven climate change.
At least 33 people, including election officials on duty in India’s just-concluded general election, died of suspected heatstroke in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the north, and Odisha in the east on Friday.
Data from the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC)showed that the situation was worst in May, with 46 heat-related deaths and 19,189 suspected heat stroke cases, news website The Print reported.
Including suspected cases, the total number of deaths in India could be much higher at 80, newspaper The Hindu reported.
Over 5,000 cases of heatstroke were detected in the central state of Madhya Pradesh alone.
Furthermore, India’s heat wave serves as a wake-up call for global cooperation in combating climate change.
Consequently, nations must collaborate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.
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