Heat wave: several states have extended their summer holidays (representational)
New Delhi:
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya today chaired a high-level meeting to review the country’s preparedness as several states continue to experience intense heat waves.
The meteorological agency has predicted severe to very severe heatwave conditions in various regions such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Vidarbha, Odisha, West Bengal, India. ‘Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, among others.
Over the past few days, deaths from heat stroke have been reported in several states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha.
Fifty-four people have died and around 400 are hospitalized in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh amid soaring temperatures in the district.
The sudden increase in deaths and patients admitted to hospitals with fever, respiratory problems and other problems has overwhelmed the hospital, which has put its staff on high alert.
Following the scorching heat, several states extended their summer vacations in response to the extreme heat.
Earlier, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said most of India will experience above normal maximum temperatures from April to June.
“Heatwave conditions prevail in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. For this, the IMD has launched an orange alert in these regions. The coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are also under the influence of the heatwave,” said IMD scientist Naresh Kumar.