Heat wave intensifies across India, claims over 65 lives

Searing heat intensified across the country with the mercury maintaining its upward trend and heat wave sweeping across large parts, claiming over 65 lives in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha.

Forty-three people have so far died due to hot weather conditions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while in Odisha heat wave claimed 23 lives.

Temperature crossed the 45 degrees Celsius mark in many areas of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while northern states reeled under dry and hot weather conditions.

In the national capital, the mercury shot up to 43.6 degrees Celsius, the highest of this season. According to MeT officials, Friday's maximum was four notches above normal. The minimum temperature settled at 27 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year.

Blistering heat wave in many areas of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has claimed 43 lives even as people continued to reel under torrid weather. According to the MeT Department, the mercury will continue its upward trend in the next few days.

Khammam, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Karimnagar in Telangana, and Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh were worst hit. In Khammam, the mercury touched 47 degrees Celsius on Friday, weather officials said, adding in other areas it hovered around 45 degrees Celsius.

"As per the information received till on Thursday the toll in Telangana is 21," Revenue Secretary B R Meena told PTI. According to reports from Andhra Pradesh districts, 22 people have died due to the heatwave in the state so far.

Telangana Government has issued a list of 'Do's and Don'ts' for the people, asking them not to venture outside when day temperatures are high.

In Odisha, heatwave-like conditions prevailed in large parts forcing people to remain in-door and prompting the administration to take precautionary measures.

According to officials, as many as 23 died allegedly due to sun-stroke in the state, where Jharsuguda recorded the maximum temperature at 45.8 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab and Haryana, intense heatwave swept across the two states with mercury soaring sharply in many areas. Hisar in Haryana sizzled at 45.5 degrees, four notches above normal, while in Bhiwani, mercury settled at 44.8 degrees Celsius.

Chandigarh registered a high of 41.7 degrees. In Punjab, Amritsar's maximum settled at 43.2 degrees while Ludhiana and Patiala recorded their maximum at 42.7 degrees Celsius.

In West Bengal, the mercury crossed 40 degrees Celsius mark in many parts with heat wave blowing across the western part of the state.

Two persons died reportedly due to hot weather conditions. While an under-trial died in a court lock-up in Barrackpore, a Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) employee died while working in office.

Sriniketan in Birbhum district recorded 44.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Bankura 43.1, Asansol 42.8, Baharampur 42.2, Purulia 42, and Burdwan 41 degrees Celsius.

G C Debnath, director, IMD, Kolkata, told PTI that a heat wave condition was prevailing in the western districts of the state and there was no likelihood of any respite in the next few days. "In central India also, there is a heatwave situation from where the hot winds are blowing in. In West Bengal there is no likelihood of any rain, which is aggravating the situation," he said.

In Himachal Pradesh, Una in the Shivalik foothills experienced the hottest day of the season as the mercury breached 42.0 degrees Celsius mark, while temperatures rose by one to two degrees in other mid and lower hills.

People reeled under scorching sun in lower hills with Una recording a high of 42.1 degrees Celsius, followed by Bilaspur 39.4, Sundernagar 37.3, Nahan 36.3, Bhunter 35.2, Dharamsala 31.8, and Shimla 28.1 degrees Celsius.

However, there was some respite for residents of Nagpur with the mercury dipping marginally after two days of severe heat. The city recorded maximum temperature of 46.5 degrees Celsius, as against Thursday's 47.

Chandrapur recorded maximum temperature of 47.6 degrees, the highest in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra on Friday. Maximum temperatures recorded at other places in the region were Akola 44.7, Amravati 44.8, Bramhapuri 45.8, Washim 42.6, Wardha 46.9 and Yavatmal 46.8 degrees Celsius. 

Photograph: Sahil Salvi