In Uttar Pradesh state, 119 people have died from heat-related illnesses in the past few days, while Bihar state reported 47 deaths, according to local news reports and health officials.
Many Indians were hospitalized due to record heat. Photo: ABC News
The largest hospital in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, is unable to take in more patients. Officials said the morgue was full after 54 people died in the heat, all elderly people with various health problems. Some families were asked to take the bodies home as soon as possible.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), northern parts of India have recorded consistently higher than normal temperatures, with the maximum temperature reaching 43.5 degrees Celsius.
“We have been issuing heatwave warnings for the past few days,” said Atul Kumar Singh, a scientist at the IMD. Despite the warnings, government officials have not issued warnings and asked people to take precautions and cope with the heatwave.
In addition, the constant power outages in the area have left people without running water, fans and air conditioning.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the government is taking steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply. He appealed to people to cooperate and use electricity wisely.
“Every village and every city must have adequate power supply in this scorching heat. If there are any faults, they must be resolved immediately,” he said in a statement.
Inside the Ballia District Hospital, the chaotic scene was reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic, as relatives of patients scrambled to get urgent medical attention. Hospitals were also unsanitary, with medical and household waste strewn everywhere.
Areas in the hospital have no air conditioning and cooling equipment does not work due to unstable power supply. Patients' relatives have to fan them by hand or use water to cool them down.
Officials said many more serious cases have been transferred to hospitals in larger nearby cities, while more doctors and medical resources have been sent to the district hospital to deal with the heat-induced crisis.
Climate experts say heatwaves are set to continue and India needs to be better prepared to deal with them. A study by World Weather Attribution has found that heatwaves are 30 times more likely than usual due to climate change.
Hoang Nam (according to AP)
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