Heatwave in India: 25,000 Cases of Sunstroke and Dozens of Deaths

Local media reported, citing government data, that India has witnessed nearly 25,000 cases of sunstroke, and dozens have died following a heatwave lasting several days across the country from March to May. The month of May was the worst for the region, with temperatures in the capital, Delhi, and the nearby state of Rajasthan reaching 50 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, parts of eastern India are facing the impact of Cyclone "Ramal," with heavy rains in the northeastern state of Assam causing 14 deaths since Tuesday. At least 33 individuals, including election officials, died while working during the recently concluded general elections in India, believed to be due to sunstroke in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and in Odisha in the east, on Friday. Data from the National Center for Disease Control indicated that the situation was worse in May, with heat-related deaths reaching 46, alongside 19,189 suspected sunstroke cases, according to The Print news website. The Hindu reported that the total number of heat-related deaths could be around 80. Over 5,000 cases of sunstroke were recorded in Madhya Pradesh alone in central India.