NEW DELHI: As a blistering heatwave grips parts of India, at least 74 people have succumbed to heatstroke in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh over the past 48 hours, with the toll exacerbated by the ongoing final phase of elections in the country, Indian Express reported.
According to reports from the Indian Express, among the deceased are 25 polling staff who were performing their duties in the scorching heat.
The Financial Express cited the meteorological department, stating that a heatwave is forecasted to continue in several regions, including Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, West Rajasthan, East Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam.
Despite the severity of the situation, India has yet to release nationwide figures for heat-related deaths.
In response to the escalating crisis, an Indian court has asked the government to declare a national emergency due to the heatwave. The court emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that hundreds of lives have been lost during weeks of extreme weather.
The high court in Rajasthan, one of the hardest-hit states, criticized authorities for their failure to adequately protect the public from the sweltering conditions. It directed the state government to establish compensation funds for the families of heatstroke victims.
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Reports from affected areas indicate that public hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of patients suffering from heat-related ailments. Relatives of victims in Gaya, Bihar, recounted instances of hospitals facing challenges such as malfunctioning air conditioning systems in emergency wards.
Tragically, the toll of the heatwave continues to climb, with another 14 suspected heatstroke deaths reported in the neighboring state of Odisha.
India’s struggle with searing summer temperatures underscores the mounting impact of climate change on extreme weather events. Scientists warn that heatwaves are becoming longer, more frequent, and more intense due to human-induced climate change.
Despite India’s commitment to achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2070, the country remains heavily reliant on coal for power generation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government emphasizes the role of fossil fuels in meeting energy demands and alleviating poverty, even as the devastating effects of climate change continue to unfold.
