Local media reported, citing government data, that India witnessed nearly 25,000 cases of heatstroke, and at least 56 people died in several severe heat waves across the country from March to May.
In May, the region witnessed particularly severe weather conditions, with temperatures in the capital, New Delhi, and the nearby state of Rajasthan reaching 50 degrees Celsius.
In contrast, parts of eastern India are suffering from the consequences of Cyclone Sands. Heavy rains in the northeastern state of Assam have killed 14 people since Tuesday.
Heavy rains also fell on cities in the southern states of Karnataka and Kerala.
Rainfall amounted to 111.1 mm in the city of Bengaluru in the state of Karnataka, which is the highest amount the city has witnessed in the month of June since 1891.
At least 33 people died in India’s recently concluded general elections as a result of what is believed to be heatstroke in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the north and Odisha in the east on Friday.
Data from the National Center for Disease Control showed that the situation was worse in May, with the number of heat-related deaths reaching 46 in addition to 19,189 suspected cases of heatstroke, according to the “The Print” news website.
The total number of deaths caused by extreme heat may be 80, The Hindu newspaper reported.
More than five thousand cases of heatstroke were detected in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India alone.
The Meteorological Office expected temperatures to be less severe until Wednesday, and the early arrival of monsoon rains last week in the southern state of Kerala is expected to further moderate temperatures.
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