India summer: Eight more die as country faces longest heatwave

The northeast state of Odisha on Monday reported eight fatalities in a 72-hour time, prompting a significant heat to continue to wreak havoc on India.

Officials figures released in May suggested 60 people died between March and May across India due to heat-related reasons.

However, the figure is likely to be significantly higher as more deaths from heat-related causes are reported in remote areas.

According to officials, India is currently experiencing the longest heat it has ever experienced, with temperatures just reaching 50C in some places.

This has been the longest spell because it has been observed in various parts of the nation for about 24 days, according to Mrutyunjay Mohapatra of the India Meteorological Department ( IMD).

Since mid-May, intense temperature has been a problem in some parts of northern India, with temperatures ranging between 45 and 50 degrees Celsius in some places.

Some parts of the nation have experienced water scarcity, with intense heat putting a lot of pressure on products.

At least 18 polling officials who were deployed for the last round of the general elections passed away in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar state earlier this month, according to authorities.

On 31 May, at least 33 people, including vote officers, died of suspected sunstroke in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.

The monsoon, which hit Kerala state on May 30 and reach India’s southern coast, is anticipated to relieve some of the country’s northern regions in the coming days.

The IMD has predicted that the region will experience an above-average monsoon season this year.

But Mr Mohapatra said that “heatwaves will be more numerous, robust and severe, if cautionary or preventive measures are certainly taken”.

The wind office has for the next five days predicted heatwave conditions for northwest and southeast India.

India relies heavily on coal to generate electricity for its requirements, and is the third-largest emission of greenhouse gases in the world.

” People activities, increasing people, urbanization and transport systems are leading to improved concentration of carbon dioxide, methane and chlorocarbons”, Mr Mohapatra said.

” We are endangering not only ourselves, but even our future years”.