Heatwaves reached dangerous levels in India, Asian countries since April
\n NEW DELHI
\nDelhi and other parts of northern India were on the meteorological department\u2019s highest alert over severe heatwaves on Wednesday, with temperatures in some regions expected to soar over 47 degrees Celsius.
\nThe India Meteorological Department forecasts heatwave conditions to persist until the end of the week and issued a severe weather warning, known as the \u201cred alert,\u201d in the Indian capital region and the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh and West Uttar Pradesh.
\nDelhi officials ordered schools to shut on Tuesday as parts of the city recorded temperatures above 47 degrees Celsius. Though summer temperatures often peak during May in India, IMD director-general Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the warning was necessary for the general public.
\n\u201cAny heatwave conditions must be taken seriously because it can cause mortality or morbidity if care is not taken,\u201d Mohapatra told Arab News on Wednesday.
\nThe IMD has warned of the \u201cvery high likelihood of developing heat illness and heatstroke in all ages\u201d due to the high temperatures. It added that \u201cextreme care\u201d was needed for vulnerable people and that citizens should drink sufficient water even if they are not thirsty.
\n\u201cPeople should be under the shades, they should take water so that there is no dehydration,\u201d Mohapatra said.
\nThe severe heat is expected to impact not only people but also livestock, land transport, and the country\u2019s energy supply.
\n\u201cThere is heavy demand in the power sector \u2014 there was the highest demand in Delhi yesterday \u2014 so therefore there could be disruption in the power supply,\u201d he added.
\nSantwana Biswas, a domestic worker from Noida on the outskirts of Delhi, is among those who have been dealing with power disruptions in their neighborhoods.
\n\u201cThe electricity situation in my locality has worsened, with the night passing with just a couple of hours of electricity. Imagine, how can I sleep in this heat without a fan? I have not been able to get proper sleep for at least a week now,\u201d Biswas told Arab News.
\n\u201cHeat hasn\u2019t allowed me to function normally. I am dragging myself just to save my job.\u201d
\nHeatwaves, most likely fueled by climate change, have been reaching dangerous levels across India and other Asian countries since April, with eastern India experiencing its hottest April on record and reporting deaths related to soaring temperatures.
\nSaloni Kumari, a housewife in Delhi, said the heat was disorienting.
\n\u201cEven early in the morning, you don\u2019t feel comfortable going for a walk or doing any work. Air conditioning at home does not work properly when you have high temperatures,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cLife has become disoriented in this heatwave.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Heatwaves reached dangerous levels in India, Asian countries since April NEW DELHI Delhi and other parts of northern India were on the meteorological department\u2019s highest alert over severe heatwaves on Wednesday, with temperatures in some regions expected to soar over 47 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department forecasts heatwave conditions to persist until the end […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":408767,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-408750","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n