Temperature soars across India, risking health issues and even deaths

India witnessed temperatures soaring across its length and breadth this week with warnings being issued over heat waves and rising risk of blackouts, potentially leaving millions of people to heat exhaustion or deadly heat stroke.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heat wave warnings for several regions of the South Asian nation, including in states such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.

On Monday (17), the maximum temperature in Baripada in the eastern coastal state of Odisha crossed 44 degree Celsius. In many other areas, the mercury remained about five degrees Celsius above normal.

India, which witnessed the hottest February this year since proper record-keeping started in 1901, is preparing for what might be a hotter summer than normal.

This year, weather in the region has received an increased focus after the Indian subcontinent experienced a punishing heatwave last year that caused immense human suffering and left an impact on global wheat supplies.

Concerns over power failure are also high as more people switch on air conditioners to stretch the grid.

On Sunday (16), 12 people died while several thousands fell ill after suffering heat stroke while attending an open-air award-giving ceremony in Navi Mumbai in the western state of Maharashtra.

Heat turns deadlier when combined with humidity. Since a majority of India's 1.4 billion population work outdoors, often without protection, the risk becomes even more.

Several construction labourers, street goods-sellers and rickshaw pullers perish each summer as they don't have the means to protect themselves from the heat.

The report also added that authorities have asked people to stay hydrated. The weather office also advised people to avoid going out in the heat, wear lightweight, loose and cotton clothes and keep their heads covered.

The eastern Indian state of West Bengal has asked all educational institutions to remain close this week to shield children from extreme heat conditions.

In some other states of the country, school timings have been reduced.