More Than 50 People Died Due To Heat Stroke In Various Parts Of North And Central India

As the largest electoral exercise draws to a close, large parts of India have been reeling under intense heatwave for the better part of May, which have led many to question the wisdom of the Election Commission India to conduct longest General Elections in the peak summer months.

According to news reports, more than 50 people, including 25 poll workers, succumbed after suffering heat stroke. With 19 heat stroke-related deaths, Bihar accounted for the largest number of casualties.

India has been witnessing severe and prolonged heat waves over the past few years. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD temperatures ranged between 45^O Celsius to 48^O Celsius.

“Yesterday, maximum temperatures were in the range of 45-48°C in many parts of Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Chhattisgarh; in some parts of Punjab, West Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha, Odisha; in isolated pockets over East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam; in the range of 42-45°C in many parts of Telangana; in some parts of Rayalaseema; in isolated pockets over Gujarat state, Tamil Nadu. These were above normal by 3- 6°C over many parts of Uttar Pradesh, Odisha; over some parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam; in isolated parts of Vidarbha,” said IMD in its daily bulletin.

IMD also predicted that heat wave-like conditions will continue to prevail in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and in isolated pockets of East Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and coastal Andhra Pradesh.

On May 28, according to IMD temperature data, the mercury shot up to 49.9^O Celsius in Narela and Mungeshpuri in Delhi, while it remained well above the 45^O Celsius mark in the rest of the city.

According to IMD’s Long Range Forecast Outlook, though the South-West Monsson is likely to normal and will be timely, it has warned that “above normal” heat wave conditions will continue to prevail in Northwest and Central India for better part of June, though the maximum temperature might come down by a few degrees.