Heat wave affects at least 330 million people across India
The scorching heat in India that has lasted for weeks continues to raze the country, from a report by Weather.com. Temperatures of at least 40 degrees Celsius have been reported in some states, as a drought extends across much of India. The government told the country’s Supreme Court that at least 330 million people have been affected by the heat wave.
According to Associated Press Orissa police reported 55 heat-related deaths while Andhra Pradesh counted at least 45. Most of these people killed by the heat wave were farmers and laborers. Schools in Orissa were shut down last week and they are expected to be closed until at least April 26. People all over the country are being urged to stay indoors.
Farmers were ordered to move away from growing sugarcane, which require a lot of water. Officials have sent tankers of water to arid farming communities in Maharashtra and have banned people from drilling deep wells.Officials in Andhra Pradesh were passing out free water and buttermilk to help people stay hydrated.But a deep drought and severe water shortages are still taking their toll on the country’s farmers.
India Today said that as lakes, rivers, and ponds are drying up and groundwater tables are sinking, crops have withered and tens of thousands of farm animals have perished, while thousands of distressed farmers have committed suicide.
Around 2,300 people were also killed last year by a heat wave in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, according to Time.com.
Source: Weather.
Category: Features, Health alert
