KABUL (Pajhwok): Nearly 100 people lost their lives due to extreme heat wave across India’s northeast over the weekend, according to a media report
Maximum temperatures soared to between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius (107.6 to 111.2 Fahrenheit) in at least five states Saturday, according to India’s Meteorological Department, Washington Post reported
The highest recorded temperature that day was 45.4 degrees Celsius (113.72 Fahrenheit), in India’s eastern Odisha state. Daily minimum temperatures also remained high, prompting authorities to urge vulnerable people to stay indoors.
The government on Sunday issued more severe heat advisories for some northeastern regions and said the blazing conditions would extend into Tuesday. There is a “very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages,” the Meteorological Department said.
In two states, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, at least 98 people died between Thursday and Saturday because of the heat, the India Today magazine reported, citing a local official.
The Associated Press also reported the deaths of 42 people in Bihar state over the past two days, and another 54 deaths in neighboring Uttar Pradesh, citing local officials.
India has suffered successive heat waves in recent months, including in May, when similar temperatures scorched the capital, New Delhi. Last year, spring temperatures broke monthly heat records, a pattern scientists say has worsened because of climate change.
aw/sa
Views: 67