Death Toll Rises to Over 750 in Massive India Heat Wave
Officials in India announced this week that 750 people have died in the past five weeks from an unrelenting heat wave that has taken its toll on the country's southern states.
Deputy Chief Minister Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa told reporters recently that over 750 people have died since the heatwave hit the country's south in mid-April. The southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telengana are reportedly the most affected by the massive heat wave.
According to the Associated Press, the heat wave has caused daily temperatures that average 113 and 118 degrees Fahrenheit. These high temperatures coupled with strong, dry winds have caused health issues as well as decimated local crops.
Officials have indicated that the majority of those affected by the massive heat wave are older people who are apart of the working class and do not have access to air conditioned buildings.
"The majority of the victims are people who have been exposed to the sun directly, usually aged 50 and above and from the working classes," P Tulsi Rani, the special commissioner of the disaster management department in Andhra Pradesh, told Australia's ABC News in a recent interview.
"We are asking them to take precautions like using an umbrella, using a cap, taking a huge quantity of liquids like water and buttermilk, and wearing cotton clothing," he said.
According to the Hindustan Times, locals are desperately waiting for a massive monsoon predicted to hit the country next week that will hopefully bring relief from the extremely high temperatures.
