Record deaths in India as heatwave pushes temperatures to 53°C

As reported by local authorities, quoted by the Reuters agency, at least 15 people have died due to extreme heat in the states of Bihar and Orisa in eastern India. Temperatures reached over 52°C (around 125°F).

In recent days, we reported on the difficult situation in Pakistan, which is facing a wave of unbearable heat. In the Sindh province in the south of the country, temperatures also hit 52°C (125°F). The situation in India is similarly severe at the moment.

Recently, extreme heat in India has caused the deaths of at least 15 people. On Thursday, in a government hospital in the Rourkela region of Orisa, the deaths of 10 people were recorded. Five others died in the city of Aurangabad in Bihar due to heat stroke. This number may increase—the state authorities reported the deaths of another seven people on their way to hospitals, but the causes of their deaths have not yet been confirmed.

On Tuesday, in Delhi, a record temperature of 53°C (127°F) was registered, the highest since records began in India. The Meteorological Institute announced that this value will still be verified.

Due to record high temperatures, three courts in Delhi allowed their employees not to wear traditional black robes in courtrooms. Judges of another court adjourned a hearing, complaining about the lack of air conditioning and water. Many lower instance courts in India do not have air conditioning.

Meanwhile, the authorities of Orisa have prohibited workers from being outside between 11 AM and 3 PM when the heat is the most intense.

The heat in Delhi also affects birds and wild monkeys, who are fainting and getting sick. More than 1,200 animals living in the zoo in the capital of India are being sprayed with water to give them relief.

Indian meteorologists forecast that temperatures in the northwestern and central states will drop in the coming days. In the east of the country, the heat is expected to last for about two more days.