More than 500 people have reportedly died due to the heatwave across India with temperatures touching 48C in some of the regions. Most of the deaths have been reported from the southern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. More than 140 people have passed away since May 23, 2015.
City of Allahabad in the state of Uttar Pradesh recorded 48C while the capital recorded a temperature of 44C. Health officials have urged people to stay indoors as far as possible and drink plenty of fluids. The heat conditions have been prevailing in the country since mid April 2015 and most of the deaths have been reported in the past week.
The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is one of the worst hit states with more than 246 deaths due to high temperatures. Officials from the state informed that 62 people died of sunstroke on Sunday. P Tulsi Rani, the special commissioner of Andhra Pradesh’s disaster management department said, “The majority of the victims are people who have been exposed to the sun directly, usually aged 50 and above and from the working classes”.
Rani added that they are appealing people to take precautions like using an umbrella, a cap and taking plenty of fluids like water and buttermilk and wearing cotton clothing. The Meteorological Department said that the heat conditions are likely to continue for a few more days.
Photo Credits: Reuters
