At least 96 people are reported to have died from heat-aggravated conditions during a blistering heatwave across two of India’s most populous states over the past several days, although questions have been raised after more than half of the deaths were reported in a single district.
The deaths happened in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the east, where 45C (113F) temperatures were recorded over the past few days, coupled with humidity.
Heatwaves are common in June, when the summer heat soars to maximum intensity before the monsoon hits. Many Indians go out to earn a living under the sweltering sun, with only a wet cloth wrapped around their heads.
Atul Kumar Singh, a scientist from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said temperatures across Uttar Pradesh were above normal, adding: “No relief is expected in the next 24 hours.”
The deaths in Uttar Pradesh almost all occurred in one district, Ballia, which baffled officials as many other areas had been equally scorched by the high temperatures.
The state’s health minister, Brajesh Pathak, said it had opened an investigation into the cause of death of “so many people” in Ballia.
The medical superintendent at the government hospital in Ballia was transferred prematurely after ascribing deaths to the heatwave when some doctors say the symptoms were not classic heat-related symptoms.
A team of experts sent to Ballia by the state government had said the deaths may have been caused by other factors but they were not yet clear what these could be.
“These do not appear to be heatwave-related deaths because nearby districts facing similar conditions are not throwing up similar death figures. The initial symptoms were of chest pain mostly, which is not the first symptom for someone affected by a heatwave,” Dr AK Singh, a member of the team, told the NDTV news channel.
He said the deaths could have been caused by contaminated water. About 400 people remain in hospital in Ballia. Footage shows overcrowded wards and overstretched staff. Reports say additional beds and medical staff have been provided to help cope with the influx of patients complaining of high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties.
Opposition parties have lambasted the chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, for Ballia’s inadequate medical facilities. Some families had to carry their sick relatives into hospital themselves for lack of stretchers.
“So many people across the state have lost lives because of the carelessness of the state government. They should have warned the people about the heatwave. Not a single district hospital has been built in the last six years. Those who have lost their lives are poor farmers because they did not receive food, medicines and treatment on time,” said Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi party.
Human-caused climate change is supercharging extreme weather across the world, driving more frequent and more deadly disasters from heatwaves to floods to wildfires. During heatwaves, India usually suffers severe water shortages, with tens of millions of its 1.4 billion population lacking running water.
Elsewhere in India, the desert state of Rajasthan has been hit by torrential rain. Villages, roads, and railway tracks have been submerged. Television footage showed waist-high water coursing through hospital corridors.
From the beginning of this year, India has been experiencing rollercoaster weather. In February, usually a mild month, temperatures reached the highest levels since 1901. March was much wetter than usual. April also had unusually cool and wet weather. May turned out to be exceptionally cool and balmy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
