As temperatures soar to record levels, a severe heat wave is gripping southern India and neighboring Bangladesh, leading to tragic consequences and widespread disruptions.
In the Indian state of Kerala, at least two people, a 90-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man, have died due to suspected heat stroke. The Hindu newspaper reported that temperatures in Kerala reached 41.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday, nearly 5.5 degrees Celsius above normal. State disaster management official Shekhar Kuriakose stated in Thiruvananthapuram, “We are yet to confirm whether these deaths were due to heat waves. The medical process for examining the deaths is on.”
Meanwhile, Odisha, an eastern state in India, recorded temperatures as high as 44.9 degrees Celsius, the highest ever in April. Niranjan Mishra, Odisha’s public health director, confirmed that at least two people have died this summer from sun stroke. The Indian Meteorological Department has warned of more heat-wave days than normal between April and June, until the monsoon arrives to provide relief.
In neighboring Bangladesh, authorities have closed all primary schools nationwide and educational institutions in nearly half of the districts, including the capital Dhaka, as temperatures climbed above 43 degrees Celsius on Monday. The severe heat wave has left many, especially those who work outdoors, struggling to cope. Rickshaw driver Mohammed Shameem expressed his plight: “It is too hard to work under the sun during a brutal heat wave. There are not many people who are coming out, which means getting passengers is tough. But we have no option but to come out and work.”
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and severity of heat waves in the region to climate change. The extreme temperatures not only pose immediate health risks but also threaten agriculture, water supplies, and the overall economy.
Local authorities are taking measures to mitigate the impact. In Tamil Nadu, a state neighboring Kerala, a local politician distributed fresh fruit, coconuts, and cold drinks in Chennai to help residents stay cool. Officials across affected regions are urging people to take precautions, such as staying indoors during peak heat hours and staying hydrated.
The heat wave underscores the urgent need for adaptation strategies to cope with climate extremes. As millions in India and Bangladesh face these challenging conditions, the broader implications of climate change on South Asia’s densely populated regions become increasingly evident.
Reference(s):
Two people die in southern India as heat wave scorches region
cgtn.com
