Weather & Science
Heat Is Surging in India, Risking Blackouts and Even Deaths
- Temperatures have soared above 40 degrees in several regions
- Local media says 11 died from heat after an event on Sunday
India’s bracing for what might be a hotter summer than usual.
Photographer: Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
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Temperatures are soaring across India this week, sparking warnings about heat waves and increasing the risk of blackouts, potentially exposing millions of people to heat exhaustion or deadly heat stroke.
The maximum temperature exceeded 44C (111F) in Prayagraj, a city in Uttar Pradesh, and in Jharsuguda in Odisha on Tuesday, and remained about 5C above normal in many areas. Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail over parts of the country including West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh states on Wednesday, before abating in some places later this week, according to the India Meteorological Department.