Record heatwave in India kills 15, disrupts daily life
6:27 AM EDT, May 31, 2024
India is experiencing a massive heatwave, setting a record in the suburbs of the Indian capital. A temperature of 127°F was recorded there, leading to the death of at least 15 people. According to Reuters, the heatwave will last until Saturday, June 1.
Hellish temperatures in India have significantly impacted the population. In the suburbs of New Delhi, thermometers have shown 127°F. As reported by Business Insider, the extreme heat has led to the death of at least 15 people. Ten of these deaths occurred in a government hospital in the Rourkela region of Odisha state, while five others died in the city of Aurangabad in Bihar state due to heatstroke.
The authorities recommend refraining from going outside between 11 AM and 3 PM when the highest thermometer readings are. In the country's capital, warnings have been issued about possible water supply interruptions. "To address the problem of water scarcity, we have taken a slew of measures such as reducing water supply from twice a day to once a day in many areas," stated Water Economy Minister Atishi Marlena in an interview with "India Express."
High temperatures are affecting not only people but also animals. In Delhi, monkeys and birds are fainting, and many animals are beginning to get sick. The situation is also tricky in the zoo, where employees try to relieve the animals by allowing them to bathe in pools.
Scientists do not doubt that record-breaking heatwaves result from climate change and that humans are responsible for them. India is the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, although the country plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
Hellish heat not only in India. Records are also falling in Pakistan
The hellish heat is plaguing not only India but also residents of neighboring Pakistan. On Tuesday, a temperature of 127°F was recorded in the Pakistani province of Sindh, which borders directly with India.
The problem is not just the heat. In the northeastern Indian states of West Bengal and Mizoram, residents are troubled by strong winds and heavy rain. On Sunday, Cyclone Remal passed over the Bay of Bengal, killing 65 people. Bangladeshi authorities stated that it was one of the longest-lasting cyclones in the country's history. Here, too, climate change was to blame.
