People in northern India are dealing with an unrelenting, weeks-long heatwave that has caused the temperature in the capital, New Delhi, to reach a record high of 49.9 degrees Celsius, which is 9 degrees Celsius higher than normal.
The temperature was recorded on Tuesday in Delhi's suburban stations of Narela and Mungeshpur, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which had issued a high alert to multiple states.
Temperatures in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana rose as well, with one location in Rajasthan reaching 50 degrees Celsius. The desert state's Phalodi town holds the country's all-time heat record, with temperatures reaching 51C in 2016.
India declares a heatwave when temperatures exceed 45 degrees Celsius. The severe weather has forced schools to close in some locations, increasing the danger of heatstroke for anyone working outside.
The high temperatures are also affecting animals, placing them at risk of dehydration and heatstroke. The endangered chinkaras, commonly known as Indian gazelles, are experiencing a water crisis.
Most of India experiences high temperatures in April, May, and June before the monsoon rains arrive. However, extreme heat is rapidly becoming a public health problem in India, with warm weather becoming increasingly intense over the last decade and sometimes accompanied by severe water shortages.
Tens of millions of the 1.4 billion people in India do not have access to flowing water. Authorities in New Delhi have also warned of the potential of water shortages as the capital swelters in headache-inducing heat, with supplies cut to some regions.
Three more deaths were related to heat stroke on Tuesday in Jaipur, Rajasthan, according to local media, bringing the city's total to four and the state's to at least 13.
Rising heat also forced India's voting body to make additional precautions when Delhi voted in the national elections last week, including the deployment of paramedics at polling centres outfitted with mist machines, covered waiting rooms, and cool water dispensers.
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New Delhi: Heatwave alert as the capital shows reports record high temperature of 49.9°C
