Heatstroke claims 46 lives in India in May, government data shows

India has witnessed a significant rise in heatstroke-related deaths, with 46 fatalities reported in May alone, according to recent government data. This brings the total number of heatstroke deaths in the past three months to 56. Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of deaths at 14, followed by Maharashtra with 11, Andhra Pradesh with 6, and Rajasthan with 5. The National Heat-Related Illnesses and Death Surveillance tracks these incidents. The month of May saw 19,189 heatstroke cases out of a total of 24,849 reported since March 1, with Madhya Pradesh again leading with 6,584 cases.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) highlighted two intense heat spells in May, which significantly contributed to the heatstroke cases and deaths. Between May 1 and 7, regions like Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, and parts of Peninsular India experienced severe heat. A second spell from May 16 to 26 brought extreme temperatures, with Rajasthan experiencing temperatures nearing 50°C and parts of Delhi NCR and Punjab reaching up to 48°C. Experts emphasize that high humidity levels, especially in coastal areas, exacerbate the health impacts of heatwaves. Vulnerable populations, including those with preexisting health conditions, the elderly, and children, are particularly at risk during such extreme weather events.