Heatwaves claim 14 lives in Odisha, UP

Ten sunstroke deaths were reported from Odisha and four people died under similar circumstances in Uttar Pradesh as heatwave-like conditions prevailed in many states with mercury settling above 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

Several areas of Maharashtra reeled under severe hot weather with Wardha district recording a maximum temperature of 47.5 degrees Celsius. Nagpur sizzled under 47 degrees for the second consecutive day.

Temperature crossed 42 degrees in Delhi while heatwave swept across Haryana and Punjab with temperature soaring past 44 degrees Celsius at Hisar. Chandigarh on Thursday recorded the season’s hottest day so far at 42.3 degrees, four notches above normal.

The Odisha Met department has warned that the hot weather will continue till May 30. Ten heatwave-related deaths were reported from Bargarh in western Odisha, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Puri in coastal Odisha and Ganjam in the south. The industrial town of Jharsuguda recorded 45.4 degrees Celsius.

However, the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), which monitors the situation, said two of the 10 deaths were not due to sunstroke. “We have so far received reports of 10 sunstroke deaths. However, two of the 10 deaths were due to other reasons, according to a preliminary investigation. The other eight deaths are being probed,” an official manning the SRC control room told Deccan Herald.

Deputy Relief Commissioner Prabhat Mohapatra said, the district collectors on Thursday were issued fresh instructions to remain on high alert.

UP sizzles
Heat wave conditions intensified in Uttar Pradesh with the mercury soaring to 43 degrees Celsius in several parts of the state on Thursday.

So far, four people have died of sunstroke in different parts of the state. According to the met office, dry weather conditions will prevail in the state and the temperature was likely to increase in the coming days. Agra, Jhansi, Banda, Allahabad, Hamirpur, Mahoba and some other districts were experiencing heatwave conditions. The maximum temperature in Banda was 46 degree Celsius on Wednesday while Chitrakoot registered 46.6 degrees.

Rising mercury has also shot up the demand for power and, as a result, the state power corporation had to resort to unscheduled and prolonged power cuts in large parts of the state, sources said.

No respite for Chennai
Though southern districts of Tamil Nadu received good rain, people in Chennai sweltered under the scorching sun as the temperature touched 41.1 degree Celsius and
humidity 90 per centon Thursday.

The Met department’s latest bulletin said severe heatwave conditions have prevailed over coastal Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai.

Severe heat wave conditions prevailed over parts of Telangana and South coastal Andhra Pradesh and heat wave conditions prevailed over parts of North interior Karnataka.

On Wednesday, the maximum temperature rose markedly at one or two places over South coastal Andhra Pradesh, appreciably at a few places over rest coastal Andhra Pradesh, at one or two places over interior Karnataka, rose at a few places over Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu and changed a little elsewhere over the region.