Heat takes heavy toll in Indian heartland

Nearly 170 people have died in two of India's most populous states in recent days amid a sweltering heat wave, officials said yesterday, as hospitals are overwhelmed with patients and routine power outages add to the challenges.

In northern Uttar Pradesh, 119 people have died from heat-related illnesses over the past several days while in neighboring Bihar state 47 people have died, according to local news reports and health officials.

The largest hospital in Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh is unable to accommodate more patients, and its morgue was overwhelmed after 54 people died due to the heat. Some families were asked to take the bodies of their relatives home.

While northern regions of India are known for sweltering heat during the summer months, temperatures have been consistently above normal, according to the Indian Meteorological Department, with highs in recent days reaching 43.5 degrees Celsius.

"We have been issuing heat wave warnings for the past few days," said Atul Kumar Singh, a scientist at the IMD.

Despite the warnings, government officials did not ask people to brace for the heat until Sunday, when the death toll began to increase.

Adding to the heat stress are consistent power outages, leaving people with no running water, fans or air conditioners.

Inside Ballia district hospital, the chaotic scenes were reminiscent of the pandemic, with families and doctors scrambling even as many patients required urgent attention. The corridors smelled of urine, garbage and medical waste, and hospital walls were stained with betel leaf spit.

"All our staff has been here for three days straight and are completely overworked," said Dr Aditya Singh, an emergency medical officer.