The heat wave claimed more lives on Sunday, and no respite appears in sight as the meteorological department forecast similar conditions in the coming days. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh accounted for over 470 deaths reported in the past few days.

Till Sunday, 290 have died in Andhra Pradesh and at least 186 in Telangana. Given that most of those who died were labourers, the State governments are planning to reschedule employment schemes such as the MGNREGA.

Bamrauli in Allahabad was the hottest at 47.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Khammam district of Telangana registered 48 degrees Celsius on Friday.

“Severe heat wave conditions will continue in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and some parts of Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha on Monday. Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan, besides a few places in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh, will also remain affected,” said an India Meteorological Department official.

Dust storms likely

The weather department has forecast dust storms and thunderstorms in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may witness similar conditions on May 26 and 27.

Delhi is expected to record a maximum of 45 degrees Celsius in the coming week.
(The Hindu)