Delhi: 5 dead, 13 on life support amid severe heatwave

On Tuesday, the national capital witnessed the warmest night in about 12 years

Five people have reportedly died in Delhi in the last 72 hours while another 13 have been put on ventilator amid severe heatwave conditions, according to a report by News18.

The national capital has been witnessing scorching heatwaves and high temperatures since the last few days, which has also resulted in water shortage in several areas.

On Tuesday, the national capital witnessed the warmest night in about 12 years with the minimum temperature settling at 35.2 degrees Celsius, over eight notches above the season's normal. Meanwhile, the maximum temperature stood at about 44 degree Celsius.

Similarly, in adjoining Noida, police on Tuesday said that seven people were found dead in different parts of Noida in the last 24 hours without any visible signs of injury.

On chances of heat wave causing these deaths, a police spokesperson told news agency PTI that they are "actively investigating" these cases and have initiated necessary legal proceedings.

"In all these cases, the bodies were sent for postmortem, and the exact cause of deaths will be determined after the reports are received," the spokesperson said, noting that none of the bodies showed any visible signs of injury.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted scattered light rainfall in the several North Indian region, including New Delhi during June 19 to 21.

"A western disturbance seen as a cyclonic circulation lies over north Pakistan and neighbourhood in lower and middle tropospheric levels. Under its influence, isolated to scattered light rainfall with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) is very likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand during 19th-23rd and over Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan during 19th-21st June, 2024," it said.

Heatwave in India: Health Ministry steps up efforts

Union Health Minister JP Nadda reviewed the heatwave situation across the country and preparedness of hospitals to deal with heatwave with senior officials of the Health Ministry. The Health Minister has directed officials to ensure all that hospitals are prepared to provide the best healthcare to those affected by the heatwave.

He also directed for special heatwave units to be started in the central government hospitals. Under the directions of the minister, an advisory has been issued by the Health Ministry today.