Heatwave Alert: India reports 56 deaths amid scorching temperatures, 25,000 heat stroke cases

financialexpress.com:

India recorded nearly 25,000 cases of suspected heat stroke and 56 fatalities due to multiple heatwave days across the country from March to May, according to government data. The month of May has been particularly harsh for the region, with temperatures in the capital Delhi and the nearby state of Rajasthan reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).

In contrast, parts of eastern India have been significantly affected by Cyclone Remal. Heavy rainfall in the northeastern state of Assam has resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals since Tuesday.

In Sri Lanka, at least 15 people have died due to flooding and landslides triggered by intense monsoon rains, Reuters reported.

A combination of factors has contributed to a particularly hot summer in South Asia, a trend that scientists attribute to human-induced climate change. At least 33 individuals, including election officials on duty during the general election 2024, succumbed to suspected heatstroke on May 31 in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha.

Data from the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) indicated that the situation was most severe in May, with 46 heat-related deaths and 19,189 suspected cases of heatstroke, as reported by The Print. Including suspected cases, the total number of deaths in India could be significantly higher, reaching up to 80, according to a report by The Hindu. Over 5,000 cases of heatstroke were reported in Madhya Pradesh alone.

The weather office predicted that heatwave conditions will be less severe until Wednesday, and the early arrival of the monsoon in the southern state of Kerala last week is expected to bring further relief.