40,000+ cases of heatstroke recorded in India

This summer, authorities reported over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases in India, with at least 100 deaths due to an extended heatwave. According to statistics from the health ministry, atleast 100 individuals lost their lives between March 1 to June 18 due to twice the number of heatwave days in the northwest and eastern areas.

The federal and state institutions have been instructed by the health ministry to prioritize patients by giving them 'immediate attention'. Furthermore, Delhi has requested hospitals to increase the number of beds available, amid worsened water and power shortages causing difficulties for residents.

Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Delhi were the most severely impacted by the heatwave spell in central India. In MP alone over 5,200 cases like these were reported, meanwhile, Delhi and Noida have seen atleast 20 and 14 deaths respectively. Similarly, Rajasthan reported 4300 heat related cases. 

As per a press release, Union Health Minister JP Nadda examined the country's heatwave conditions and the readiness of hospitals to handle heatwave issues with senior Health Ministry officials.

Experts have determined that human-induced climate change has caused the heat situation to worsen over time. North India endured one of its lengthiest heatwave periods this summer, with temperatures nearly reaching 50 degrees Celsius.

Kartick Satyanarayan, Wildlife SOS's co-founder and CEO, stated that around 35-40 bird rescue calls were received daily in Delhi, majority of them being birds dropping from the sky due to the intense heat.