Summer of '24: India's heatwave turns deadly with over 100 deaths, 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases
extreme weather conditions. And the season is not over yet!
India has recorded over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases amid a prolonged heatwave, reported Reuters. Simultaneously, parts of the country, including the northeastern region, are dealing with severe floods triggered by heavy rain.
This extreme weather is part of a larger trend affecting billions across Asia. Scientists attribute these conditions largely to human-driven climate change. North India has seen temperatures soar close to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) during one of the longest heatwave spells on record, as reported by Reuters.
Devastating impact
The intense heat has had devastating effects. Birds have been seen collapsing from the sky, and hospitals have reported a surge in patients suffering from heat-related conditions. The health ministry has directed federal and state institutions to prioritize these cases, and hospitals in Delhi, which is also facing a water shortage, have been instructed to increase bed capacity.
A health ministry official confirmed over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases and at least 110 confirmed deaths between March 1 and June 18. During this period, northwest and eastern India experienced twice the usual number of heatwave days.
Meteorologists predict above-normal temperatures for the coming month, highlighting the issue of Indian cities turning into «heat traps» due to unbalanced urban growth.
«During the ongoing heatwave, most bird rescue calls we receive are due to birds falling from the skies,»
