74 people died in India due to extreme heatwave within 48 hours

At least 74 people have died in India, including four states, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh, due to an extreme heatwave within only 48 hours.

Odisha experienced the maximum death toll of 36 people, while 20 people died in Uttar Pradesh. However, 14 people died in Bihar and 2 in Jharkhand.

According to Indian media reports, 25 of the dead people were poll workers. They lost lives performing their jobs as India’s final round of elections gets underway.

The Meteorological Department of India had issued extreme heatwave alerts in several states. It includes Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Punjab, Northwest Rajasthan, north Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh and West Jharkhand.
Heat Wave conditions has been observed in some parts over Punjab, Northwest Rajasthan, north Madhya Pradesh and in isolated pockets over south Haryana-Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh,
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) June 1, 2024

Other states include Yanam, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, West Rajasthan, East Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Vidarbha. An Indian court had already urged the government to declare a national emergency due to the recent heatwave.

The court has ordered it while considering the deaths of several Indians in these weeks following harsh heat conditions. An extreme heatwave is sweeping throughout India, with some areas at temperatures above 45 degrees centigrades.

The High Court in Rajasthan has considered some of the worst temperatures this week. Hence, it declared officials neglected to take necessary precautions to protect people from the deadliest heatwave.

Mother Earth is urging a call to action: Rajasthan High Court takes suo motu cognisance of extreme heatwave

Read story: https://t.co/HALKhhaFlJ pic.twitter.com/xO6X8PfoD5
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) May 30, 2024

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The court stated hundreds of people lost their lives this month due to extreme weather. There is no Planet B where they can move. They will lose the opportunity to witness the unending prosperity of their future generations if they do not act decisively today.

It also ordered the Rajasthan government to establish compensation funds for the family members of victims who passed away from heat-related illnesses.

It is significant to note that the government of India has not yet released official statistics linked to the current heatwave. The statistics that 74 people died in India are based on Indian media reports.