This type of population accounts for the largest proportion, with at least 98 deaths in extreme heat in India within 3 days. Uttar Pradesh | Meteorological Department | Population
According to India Today, from June 15th to 17th, at least 98 people died in high temperatures in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India. The Indian authorities have stated that the majority of the deceased were over 60 years old and had health issues earlier, and the high temperatures may have exacerbated this situation.
According to the Associated Press on June 18th, large areas of India have recently been hit again by extreme heat waves. According to reports, the death case in Uttar Pradesh occurred in Baria, about 300 kilometers southeast of the state capital, Lucknow. Medical staff in the area told the Associated Press that in the past three days, about 300 patients have been sent to local hospitals due to various diseases exacerbated by high temperatures. Most hospitalized patients are over 60 years old and exhibit high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and heart related symptoms.
It is reported that due to the severity of the situation, the Indian authorities have cancelled the leave applications of Parisian medical staff and added beds in the emergency ward to accommodate a large influx of patients. At the same time, the state's health minister, Bridgesh Patak, stated that relevant personnel have launched an investigation into the causes of the deaths of multiple people in Baria.
In fact, extreme heatwaves are continuing to affect Bali and the central and eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh. The report states that on June 18th, the highest temperature in the region was 43 degrees Celsius. The Indian meteorological department has issued an alert stating that heatwave conditions in some areas of Uttar Pradesh will continue until June 19th.
Meanwhile, among the deaths in the eastern part of Bihar, 35 have died in two hospitals in the state capital Patna, where over 200 patients with diarrhea and vomiting are receiving treatment. Meteorological data shows that on June 17th, the highest temperature in Patna reached 44.7 degrees Celsius.
Not only Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are suffering from extreme high temperatures. According to the Indian meteorological department, the highest temperatures in at least five states soared to 42 to 44 degrees Celsius on June 17th. The highest recorded temperature of the day was 45.4 degrees Celsius in the eastern Indian state of Orissa. The daily minimum temperature remains high, prompting Indian authorities to urge vulnerable groups to stay indoors during the day.
The soaring temperatures have brought new challenges to actions worldwide to protect vulnerable groups such as the elderly. How to ensure the safety of the elderly during soaring temperatures, local governments are formulating electricity regulations, specifying when to turn on public air conditioning, and improving communication with high-risk individuals living alone.
Dealing with heat waves is particularly urgent for India. According to reports, extreme heat puts 80% of India's 1.4 billion population at risk - causing more deaths and diseases, forcing schools to close and resulting in crop failures. During heatwaves, the country typically experiences severe water shortages, with tens of millions of its 1.4 billion population lacking access to tap water.
It is worth noting that a study by the academic team World Weather Attribution, which studies the attribution of extreme high temperatures, further found that the likelihood of heat waves sweeping parts of South Asia in April being affected by anthropogenic climate change has increased by at least 30 times.
The weather forecast shows that there have been daily records of sustained highest temperatures ranging from 47 to 49 degrees Celsius in North Africa, India, and the Middle East. A more intense heat wave is on its way, and some regions such as Iran may break the unimaginable record of 50 degrees Celsius.