India has recorded almost 25,000 suspected cases of heatstroke and 56 deaths following consecutive heatwaves that struck the country from March to May, according to official figures reported by local media.
May was especially challenging for India, with temperatures in New Delhi and the neighbouring state of Rajasthan nearing 50 degrees Celsius.
In contrast, parts of eastern India are dealing with the aftermath of Cyclone Remal. Severe rainfall in the northeastern state of Assam has led to 14 deaths since Tuesday.
In Sri Lanka, at least 15 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains, the country’s disaster management agency announced on Sunday.
Extreme high temperatures in South Asia are attributed to a combination of factors, with scientists indicating that anthropogenic climate change has worsened the situation.
At least 33 people, including election officials in India, where general elections concluded on Sunday, possibly died from heatstroke in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha on Friday.
Data from the National Center for Disease Control indicated that May was the worst month, with 46 deaths linked to extreme heat and 19,189 suspected cases of heatstroke reported, according to The Print.
With the deaths suspected to be heat-related, the total number of heatwave-related fatalities in India might exceed 80, according to The Hindu. In the central state of Madhya Pradesh alone, more than 5,000 suspected cases of heatstroke were recorded.
India’s meteorological service predicts that temperatures will drop by Wednesday, and the early monsoon season, which began last week in Kerala, is expected to further lower temperatures.
(With information from amna.gr)
