At least 24 fatalities have been reported due to suspected heatstroke in India’s eastern India regions of Bihar and Odisha on Thursday, with the heatwave forecasted to persist until Saturday, according to officials. The scorching temperatures have been particularly intense this summer, with a part of Delhi recording the country’s highest-ever temperature at 52.9 degrees Celsius earlier this week, pending verification by the weather department.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) projects a decrease in temperatures in northwestern and central India in the coming days, but it expects the prevailing heatwave in eastern India to persist for about two more days. The IMD designates a heatwave when temperatures are substantially higher than normal by 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius.
Bihar
In Bihar, authorities recorded 14 fatalities on Thursday, including 10 individuals involved in election activities, as the state is currently undergoing the final phase of polling.Additionally, authorities cautioned against outdoor activities during peak temperatures between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the same day, following the report of 10 deaths at a government hospital in Odisha’s Rourkela region. Authorities also documented three suspected heatstroke fatalities in the neighboring state of Jharkhand.
The city zoo in Delhi has taken measures to alleviate the stress on its inhabitants, including birds and wild monkeys, by utilizing pools and sprinklers in response to the extreme temperatures.The zoo has adjusted its management practices, incorporating a more liquid diet along with seasonal fruits and vegetables to mitigate the effects of the heat.
Across Asia, soaring temperatures have posed significant challenges, exacerbated by human-induced climate change. Pakistan, India’s neighboring country, has experienced an increase in forest fires with temperatures reaching as high as 52.2 degrees Celsius last week. India, while being the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
While heat-related issues persist in some parts of the country, northeastern states like Manipur and Assam have been grappling with heavy rainfall following Cyclone Remal, resulting in flooding in several areas. Additionally, monsoon rains arrived earlier than expected along the coast of Kerala, marking the onset of the rainy season.