Harshad Patel
India has been dealing with a very hot and long-lasting heat wave lately. It has led to more than 100 deaths and over 40,000 suspected cases of heat stroke. From March 1 to June 18, data from India’s Health Ministry shows that 110 people died from heat strokes nationwide.
Uttar Pradesh had the most deaths, with 36, and other northern states like Rajasthan, Bihar, and Odisha were also badly affected. The Health Ministry hasn’t given more details about the situation.
India’s capital, New Delhi, has been particularly hard hit, experiencing extreme temperatures and setting records for heat.
Recently, temperatures soared to 51 degrees Celsius (123.8 degrees Fahrenheit), leading to unprecedented electricity demands and frequent power outages in the city, which is already contending with a severe water shortage. Despite brief relief in the form of rains and cooler temperatures, the weather department forecasts that extreme conditions could persist.
The Indian government classifies a heat wave as one when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in the plains and 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) in hilly regions.
Over the past decade, these heat waves have intensified, often accompanied by acute water shortages affecting millions in the country. Climate experts attribute this trend to climate change, which has made extreme heat events more frequent and severe in South Asia.
Authorities have responded by setting up special heat wave units in federal hospitals, aiming to provide swift medical assistance to those affected. Despite such efforts, accurately measuring heat-related deaths remains challenging, as many cases are not properly classified due to existing data collection limitations.
This underreporting underscores the need for improved systems to monitor and document heat-related illnesses and fatalities.
India’s vulnerability to climate impacts is significant, exacerbated by its status as the world’s most populous country and one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The frequency of extreme weather events has been stark, with a recent report indicating that India experienced extreme weather on nearly 90% of days in the previous year.
As the country continues to grapple with escalating temperatures and their consequences, there is a growing urgency for comprehensive strategies to mitigate the impact of heat waves and address broader climate challenges.
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