A severe heatwave continues to wreak havoc in India as the eastern state of Odisha reported eight deaths within a 72-hour period on Monday.
Official figures released in May suggested that 60 people died across India from heat-related reasons between March and May.
But the number is likely to be much higher because heat-related deaths in rural areas are underreported.
Officials say India is in the midst of the longest heatwave it has ever seen, with temperatures recently exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in some areas.
“This has been the longest period as it has occurred for around 24 days in different parts of the country,” Mrutyunjay Mohapatra of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) told the Indian Express newspaper.
Parts of northern India have been experiencing extreme heat since mid-May, with temperatures in several cities fluctuating between 45 and 50 degrees Celsius.
Some parts of the country have also been hit by water shortages, with extreme heat putting enormous demands on supplies.
Earlier this month, at least 18 poll workers deployed for the final phase of general elections died of heat-related illnesses in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, authorities said.
On May 31, at least 33 people, including election officials, died of suspected heatstroke in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.
The monsoon, which hit India’s southern coast in Kerala state on May 30, is expected to provide some relief as it spreads to northern parts of the country in the coming days.
The IMD predicts an above-average monsoon season for the country this year.
But Mohapatra said that “heat waves will be more frequent, lasting and intense if no precautions or preventive measures are taken.”
The weather bureau has forecast heatwave conditions in northwestern and eastern India for the next five days.
India is the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases and relies heavily on coal to generate energy for its needs.
“Human activities, increasing population, industrialization and transportation mechanisms lead to increased concentration of carbon monoxide, methane and chlorinated hydrocarbons,” Mohapatra said.
“We are not only endangering ourselves, but also our future generations.”
