Heat wave and Cyclone ravage South Asia: Over 70 dead in India and Sri Lanka

English , International - بین الاقوامی , / Tuesday, June 4th, 2024

Download this post as PDF

A severe heat wave from March to May claimed at least 56 lives and led to nearly 25,000 heat stroke cases in India, according to government data. May was particularly brutal, with temperatures in Delhi and Rajasthan soaring to 50 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, cyclone Remal wreaked havoc in eastern India, killing 14 in Assam due to heavy rains.
In Sri Lanka, heavy monsoon rains caused flooding and landslides, resulting in at least 15 deaths, the Disaster Management Centre reported. The extreme summer in South Asia is attributed to human-driven climate change, scientists say.
The heat wave severely impacted northern and eastern India, with 33 deaths reported in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha, including election officials on duty during the general election. The National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) noted May as the deadliest month, with 46 heat-related deaths and 19,189 suspected heat stroke cases. Reports suggest the total death toll, including suspected cases, could be as high as 80.
Madhya Pradesh alone reported over 5,000 heatstroke cases. The weather office predicts a respite from severe heat wave conditions until Wednesday, with the early arrival of the monsoon in Kerala expected to bring further relief