BHUBANESWAR: At least 15 people have died of suspected heatstroke in the eastern Indian states of Bihar and Odisha on Thursday, as a debilitating heatwave continues to sweep the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts the heatwave will persist until Saturday.
India is enduring an exceptionally hot summer, with a part of Delhi recording the highest-ever temperature in the country at 52.9 degrees Celsius (127.22°F) this week. However, this reading is under review by the weather department for sensor accuracy.
Temperatures in northwestern and central India are expected to decrease soon, but eastern India will face ongoing heatwave conditions for the next two days, according to the IMD. A heatwave is declared when temperatures are 4.5 C to 6.4 C higher than normal.
Authorities reported the deaths of 10 individuals at a government hospital in Odisha’s Rourkela region, while five people in Bihar’s Aurangabad city succumbed to sunstroke. Aurangabad District Collector Shrikant Shastree mentioned that approximately seven more people died en route to the hospital, with the exact cause to be determined after autopsies.
Odisha has restricted outdoor activities for government employees between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. due to peak temperatures. Additionally, three suspected heatstroke deaths were reported in Jharkhand, adjacent to Bihar.
In Delhi, where high temperatures have caused birds and wild animals to faint or fall ill, the city zoo is using pools and sprinklers to cool its 1,200 animals. The zoo has also adjusted the animals’ diet to include more liquids and seasonal fruits and vegetables high in water content.
Delhi recorded its first heat-related death this week, with temperatures expected to reach 43 C on Friday. The city is also facing a severe water shortage. Across Asia, billions are coping with soaring temperatures exacerbated by climate change. India, the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, aims to become a net-zero emitter by 2070.
While some regions are suffering from heat, northeastern states like Manipur and Assam are experiencing heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Remal, leading to significant flooding. Monsoon rains also arrived early in Kerala, hitting the southernmost state’s coast on Thursday.
