At least 16 people have died of heatstroke in southern India so far this summer, officials announced on Sunday, as a blistering heatwave grips large swathes of the country following official health warnings.
While India is no stranger to scorching summers, years of scientific research have established that climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent, and significantly more intense.
Temperatures in several cities across the South Asian country of 1.4 billion people have recently hovered well above 45 degrees Celsius.
The deaths were reported in the southern state of Telangana, prompting Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy to call for "statewide vigilance" to safeguard public health.
"The intensity of the heat has reached unprecedented levels" and officials in Telangana should issue advance warnings about precautions to be taken during heatwaves, Reddy's office said in an official statement.
Health experts warn that extreme heat can lead to severe dehydration that thickens the blood, which, in particularly severe cases, causes vital organs to shut down.
Responding to the crisis, the local government in Telangana advised the elderly, children, and pregnant women not to venture out during daytime hours unless absolutely necessary.
Earlier this week, the India Meteorological Department predicted above-normal temperatures and intense heatwave conditions across several parts of the nation.
In the capital of New Delhi and other nearby cities, temperatures have stayed over 40 degrees Celsius throughout this week, sending power usage soaring to record levels.
In addition to the burning midday heat, overnight minimum temperatures also remain high, giving citizens little to no respite.
India, the world's most populous nation, is the third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and relies heavily on burning coal for its power generation.
The country has committed to achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2070, which is two decades after most of the industrialized West.
For historical context, India's highest officially recorded temperature stands at 51 degrees Celsius, which was measured at Phalodi in the state of Rajasthan in 2016.
Source: AFP
