BIKANER, India (AP) — People in northern India have been battling a prolonged, weeks-long heat wave that has forced schools to close in some places and increased the risk of heatstroke for workers working outdoors.
India’s weather department expects high temperatures to continue across the region in the coming days and has put several states on high alert.
Some parts of Rajasthan reported temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday. The nearby states of Punjab and Haryana also saw temperatures rise, with parts of the capital New Delhi reaching above 48 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
India declares a heat wave when temperatures rise above 45 C (113 F).
The extreme heat in northern India coincided with the six-week general election, raising health risks as people wait in long lines to cast their votes. Voting ends on Saturday.
The sweltering temperatures also take their toll on the animals, putting them at risk of dehydration and heatstroke.
Sitaram, a wildlife conservationist in the city of Bikaner in Rajasthan who goes by one name, said endangered chinkaras – also known as Indian gazelle – are facing a shortage of water. His rescue center cares for the sick and injured chinkaras, providing them with shelter and water to brave the heat.
April, May and June are always warm in most parts of India, before monsoon rains bring cooler temperatures. But extreme heat is fast becoming a public health crisis in India, with hot weather intensifying over the past decade and usually accompanied by severe water shortages.
Tens of millions of India’s 1.4 billion residents lack running water.
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