India is facing a severe heatwave crisis, with at least 16 people having died from heatstroke as temperatures in many cities nationwide soar beyond 45 degrees Celsius amid health warnings.
Indian authorities report that all heatstroke deaths have occurred in the southern state of Telangana. Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, the state's Revenue Minister, urged various agencies to monitor the entire state to protect public health from the dangers of the heatwave.
A statement from Reddy’s office noted that the intensity of the hot weather has reached unprecedented levels, and ordered officials to issue advance warnings to the public about protective measures during the heatwave.
Health experts warn that extreme heat can cause dehydration, blood thickening, and in severe cases, internal organ failure.
Telangana authorities also advised the elderly, children, and pregnant women to avoid going outdoors during daytime hours unless absolutely necessary.
Earlier, the Indian Meteorological Department forecast that many parts of the country would experience above-average temperatures and persistent severe heatwaves.
In New Delhi and nearby cities, temperatures have remained above 40 degrees Celsius throughout the week, causing electricity usage to reach record highs as residents heavily rely on air conditioners and fans to cool down.
In addition to the intense daytime heat, nighttime temperatures remain elevated, leaving residents with little relief from the heat.
India, the world's most populous country, is also the third largest greenhouse gas emitter globally and heavily depends on coal for power generation, despite the government’s pledge to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070.
India’s official highest recorded temperature is 51 degrees Celsius, measured in the city of Phalodi, Rajasthan, in 2016.
Source:channelnewsasia
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