New Delhi: Despite the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) announcement of an abatement in the “severe” heat wave conditions, caution remains imperative as heat wave persists across large swathes of north and central India.
The tragic toll nears the hundred mark, with four security personnel succumbing to heatstroke during election duty. According to IMD data, the frequency of heatwave days varied between 8-14 days in May across northern and central India, with east Rajasthan recording the highest at 14 days, followed by Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. While no “severe” heat conditions were reported on Saturday, heat waves continued in parts of Punjab, northwest Rajasthan, north Madhya Pradesh, and isolated areas in south Haryana-Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, west Jharkhand, and central Chhattisgarh. Despite a slight decrease in maximum temperatures, areas like Rajasthan, Haryana-Delhi, and West Uttar Pradesh experienced temperatures up to three degrees Celsius lower.
Dust storms provided some relief to Delhi and its surroundings, which had been reeling under a severe heatwave. However, the scorching weather claimed the lives of four security personnel in Bihar’s Rohtas district, adding to the grim tally of over 90 fatalities, primarily in western Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. The intensifying heatwaves underscore the escalating challenge of heat stress, with rising temperatures compounded by factors such as relative humidity and land surface temperature, contributing to acute thermal discomfort and health risks.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry revealed alarming figures, citing 56 deaths from 24,849 suspected cases of heatstroke between March and May. However, these statistics exclude data from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi, suggesting that the actual toll may be higher. Notably, between May 1 and 30, approximately 19,189 suspected heatstroke cases, including 46 deaths, were reported, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate heat-related risks and safeguard public health. As India grapples with the dual challenges of soaring temperatures and escalating heat-related fatalities, concerted efforts are imperative to enhance resilience, promote awareness, and implement effective heatwave management strategies to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.
