| 17 June 2023
At least 34 people, all aged over 60 and with pre-existing health conditions, have tragically lost their lives in the past two days as a scorching heatwave grips the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ballia district, situated approximately 300km (200 miles) southeast of the state capital, Lucknow, has been particularly affected, prompting health officials to issue advisories urging elderly residents to stay indoors during the daytime.
The Chief Medical Officer of Ballia, Jayant Kumar, confirmed that 23 deaths were recorded on Thursday, followed by another 11 on Friday. According to Kumar, the extreme heat exacerbated the pre-existing health conditions of the victims, resulting in fatalities primarily due to heart attacks, brain strokes, and diarrhea. Many of those affected were admitted to Ballia's main hospital in critical condition.
The India Meteorological Department reported that on Friday, Ballia recorded a maximum temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit), which is 4.7 degrees Celsius (8 degrees Fahrenheit) above the normal range. The intense heat has caused power outages across the state, leaving residents without running water, fans, or air conditioners. Frustrations have escalated, leading to protests by affected individuals.
Responding to the situation, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), assured the public that the government is taking necessary measures to ensure an uninterrupted power supply throughout the state. Chief Minister Adityanath appealed to citizens to cooperate with the government and use electricity judiciously. He emphasized the importance of providing adequate power supply to every village and city, particularly during this sweltering heatwave, and urged prompt resolution of any faults in the power distribution system.
The months of April, May, and June are typically characterized by hot weather in most parts of India before the arrival of monsoon rains, which bring relief with cooler temperatures. However, temperatures in recent years have shown an increasing trend of intensity. This heatwave has coincided with severe water shortages, affecting tens of millions of people among India's 1.4 billion population.
A study conducted by World Weather Attribution, an academic group focused on examining extreme weather events, revealed that the scorching heatwave that struck parts of South Asia in April was made at least 30 times more likely by climate change. In Mumbai, India's financial capital, the heat claimed 13 lives during a government event, prompting some states to close schools for a week as a precautionary measure.
As the heatwave persists, it is crucial for authorities to prioritize the well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, who are more susceptible to the adverse effects of extreme heat. Efforts should be made to ensure the availability of essential resources, such as running water, electricity, and medical support, to mitigate the impact of the heatwave on the lives of residents. Additionally, addressing climate change and implementing adaptive measures are essential to prevent future heatwaves from becoming even more deadly.
The current situation in Uttar Pradesh serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action and prioritizing the welfare of those most at risk during extreme weather events.
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