44 people died in 2 days due to severe heat in India

The dead were all over 60 years old and had underlying health conditions that could have been aggravated by the intense heat, according to AP. The deaths occurred in Ballia district, about 300 kilometers (186 miles) southeast of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

Mr. Jayant Kumar, Director of Health, Ballia, said on June 17 that 23 deaths were recorded on June 15 and 11 deaths on June 16. However, 10 more people died on June 16, according to the Hindustan Times today, June 18, citing a senior official at the hospital.

“All the individuals were suffering from some ailments and their condition was worsened due to the extreme heat,” Kumar said, adding that most of the deaths were due to heart attacks, strokes and diarrhoea.

44 người chết trong 2 ngày ở vùng nắng nóng gay gắt của Ấn Độ - Ảnh 1. — Uttar Pradesh is experiencing a severe heat wave.

In addition, a local health official named Diwakar Singh said the above-mentioned people were admitted to Ballia's main hospital in a critical condition. "Elderly people are also vulnerable to extreme heat," Mr Singh added. Doctors have advised residents over 60 to stay indoors during the day.

India Meteorological Department data shows that Ballia reported a maximum temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius on June 16, 4.7 degrees Celsius higher than normal.

34 người chết trong 2 ngày ở vùng nắng nóng gay gắt của Ấn Độ - Ảnh 1. — People attend a ceremony in the suburbs of Mumbai, India, where more than 10 people died of heatstroke in April.

The scorching summer has caused power outages across Uttar Pradesh, leaving people without running water, fans or air conditioning. Many have staged protests.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured the public that the government is taking all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the state. He urged people to cooperate with the government and use electricity wisely.

During the summer months of April, May and June, heatwave conditions are common in most parts of India before the monsoon rains bring cooler temperatures, but temperatures have become more intense over the past decade.

During heat waves, India also often suffers from severe water shortages, with tens of millions of its 1.4 billion people lacking access to clean water, according to AP.

In April, heatwaves killed 13 people at a government event in India's financial capital Mumbai and forced several states to close all schools for a week.

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