According to a report in the Times of India newspaper, at least 54 people have lost their lives in Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India, over the past few days. Local authorities are currently investigating whether these deaths can be attributed to the scorching heat wave that has engulfed the region.
In neighboring Bihar state, reports indicate
that an additional 45 individuals have sadly succumbed to the extreme heat. The
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued a red alert
warning for high temperatures in certain areas, including Uttar Pradesh and
Bihar.
The government is actively investigating the
cause of these tragic fatalities, which occurred over a three-day period last
week in the Ballia district, situated approximately 970 km (600 miles)
southeast of New Delhi. Ravindra Kumar, the district's top administrative
official, stated that while deaths have occurred, it is challenging to
establish a direct link between them and the heat wave. Kumar mentioned that
some deaths were due to old age or other factors, and there is currently
insufficient evidence to definitively attribute them solely to the heat wave.
In a controversial move, Diwakar Singh, the
chief medical officer at the primary state hospital in Ballia, was dismissed by
the government for stating that the deaths were a result of the heat. Brajesh
Pathak, the state's deputy chief minister, publicly announced Singh's removal,
citing his statement as irresponsible.
The Ballia district has experienced soaring
temperatures, reaching nearly 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in
recent days, exacerbating the situation amidst a severe power crisis.
In Bihar, the Hindustan Times reported that
45 individuals lost their lives due to heat-related illnesses. Attempts to
contact officials in the capital city of Patna for further information were
unsuccessful.
While the heat wave is expected to persist in
certain regions on Monday, parts of Assam state in northeastern India are
facing the challenge of floods triggered by heavy rainfall. A senior official
from the IMD cautioned that rainfall intensity in Assam and other northeastern
states is expected to increase this week, with heavy to extremely heavy
rainfall predicted in many areas, posing a heightened risk of flooding.
The heat wave's devastating impact on
northern India serves as a stark reminder of the urgency to address the effects
of extreme weather conditions and implement measures to protect vulnerable
communities from such calamities.
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