Temperatures continue to soar high during the month of June in India, with heat waves being a common occurrence. The most aggressive impact of these heatwaves is felt by the wage workers who continue to toil under harsh conditions with little relief. These heatwaves which have particularly affected the Northern parts of the country have caused 96 deaths in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar alone, say the reports.
50+ Deaths in Uttar Pradesh
The states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are amongst the most populous in India. These two states alone account for about 25% or a quarter of the entire country’s population. Between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, 96 deaths due to heatwaves were reported. A majority of these deaths were recorded in one district of Uttar Pradesh, Ballia, which led to some suspicion about the nature of these reports. The districts around Ballia and all across Uttar Pradesh have also been witnessing similarly harsh conditions.
Uttar Pradesh’s health minister, Brajesh Pathak, has opened an investigation into this matter. It appears that the superintendent in charge of ascribing deaths, from the government hospital in Ballia, has been transferred prematurely, raising suspicions further. The initial symptom of many patients was also reported to be chest pain, which is not typical of heat waves.
The government hospitals in the region are struggling with inadequate staff and beds. There isn’t enough space to accommodate the sharp increase in the number of patients in the past few days. Additional resources are said to have been provided. The patients still admitted to the hospitals complain of high fevers and vomiting.
Suspected Causes
The cleanliness and safety of water available in the area have been under scrutiny for a long time. It is possible that some of the 96 deaths attributed to heatwaves may be actually caused due to the ingestion of unclean water. Astonishing details have come to light about the situation in Ballia, with family members carrying their sick to the hospitals; to treatment not being given correctly.
Opposition parties blame the CM
The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh has been blamed by the opposition for not taking the right measures for the provision of adequate amounts of safe drinking water. There is also a lack of food and medicines.
In response, the CM has called a review meeting to assess the extreme situation. The agenda of the meeting is to create additional provisions to tackle the problem of heatwaves. Arrangements for safe drinking water are to be made in all markets and main roads. The CM also pressed for the need for awareness of heatwave-related symptoms among the masses.
Extreme Weather to continue
Despite being far past the typical window of the Summer season in India, i.e., March-May, the temperatures are not reported to drop anytime soon. India faces a shortage of water and heatwave-induced fatalities every year. However, while some states struggle with the hot weather, the Western side of the country is being pelted by extreme rains due to the advancing cyclone Biparjoy. Floods have been reported in states such as Gujrat and Rajasthan, with the depth of water reaching up to the waist level in some areas.
These unnatural weather conditions have been largely associated with global climate change. Climate change refers to the long-term changes taking place in the temperatures worldwide, mostly taking place due to the burning of fuels and other human activities.
It has become crucial to stay safe during summer due to harsh temperatures. You can read more about how to stay safe during a heatwave here.
