NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of the dangers of “extreme heat” gripping the world’s most populous country on May 27, with troops battling forest fires and local authorities reporting deaths from heatstroke. International air-quality monitoring platform AQI recorded that the top 45 hottest cities in the world were all in India at midday on May 27, all above 43 deg C. “Different parts of India are witnessing soaring temperatures, and the challenges that come with it,” Mr Modi said. “This heat
is harsh on all of us, and I urge you all to take as many precautions as possible,” he said in a statement issued by his office. Extreme heat can lead to dehydration that thickens the blood and, in particularly severe cases, causes organs to shut down. At least 16 people died of heatstroke in southern Telangana state last week. Ignoring warning signs “can quickly turn dangerous and may even lead to heatstroke”, Mr Modi added. “Children, the elderly and those working outdoors are especially
vulnerable during extreme heat.” The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on May 26 recorded the highest temperature of 47.4 deg C in the city of Banda in Uttar Pradesh state, 465km southeast of New Delhi, 3.8 deg C above normal. The city hit 48.2 deg C earlier in May. Temperatures in New Delhi were 40 deg C at midday on May 27, according to IMD. “Every drop matters” Years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more
intense. Soaring summer temperatures that come before monsoon rains also increase the risk of forest fires. The Indian army on May 27 issued photographs of its soldiers, who battled for more than 16 hours to contain a raging blaze near the Himalayan hill town of Kasauli. Air force helicopters dropped giant buckets of water, which the army said was “decisive in containing the blaze”. Firefighting operations continue. India’s IMD also warned about water shortages as the heatwave stretches on. “From drying rivers and falling groundwater
levels to drought and water scarcity, every drop matters,” it said on May 27, urging people to conserve water. In addition to searing midday heat, India’s minimum temperatures during the night are scorching hot – giving people little respite. The country’s highest officially recorded temperature is 51 deg C, measured at Phalodi in Rajasthan in 2016. AFP
Narendra Modi, extreme heat, heatstroke, India Meteorological Department, IMD, AQI, Kasauli forest fire, Uttar Pradesh Banda, Telangana deaths, water shortages