Death toll rises in Indian heat wave

As temperatures have soared above 50 degrees Celsius in India, there have been at least 36 deaths as a result of this year’s heat wave. The temperature in Churu in Rajasthan state hit 51 degrees Celsius.

Indeed, a scarcity of water has led to fighting on the streets, with a number of stabbings, injuries and even deaths as a result of the hostilities. Authorities have been distributing water to areas most affected by the heat wave, but the scarcity of water has prompted fights and stabbings at relief points.

On the other hand, northwestern India endures heavy rain and gusty winds from Tropical Cyclone Vayu.

Residents have done their best to fight the heat wave by hosing down the streets to cool them or staying inside altogether, but the 36 deaths surpass the combined number of heat wave fatalities for all of 2018, according to the Indian government.

As the heat wave persists, vacations for doctors in some parts of the effected area were canceled, and schools were closed in Madhya Pradesh state in central India. In New Delhi, population 21 million, a record-high of 48 degrees Celsius was recorded on Monday.

Via NYT/NASA/ DW