Heat wave to dwindle, claims 1400 lives

The fierce heat wave sweeping across the country has taken over nearly 1270 lives so far in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh alone. The maximum temperature recorded at these places was as high as 46.9°C affecting the homeless and daily wage workers the most. The total number of deaths reported across the country reached to an exuberant high of 1400. It was found that the victims either succumbed to sunstroke or dehydration.
Delhi too has seen 6 deaths in the last 72 hours. It is common to spot people sleeping under metro pillars, footpaths, flyovers and in subways to seek shelter and to protect themselves from the scorching heat of the sun. Though, there are many shelter homes provided by the government, all of them have tin roofs. Around 112 porta homes lie empty this summer as the heat aggravated by the metal walled room makes it difficult for people to stay inside. Even the fans inside the room become ineffective due to the unbearable heat. In winters, it becomes difficult to accommodate people in these homes but at present, these homes are running empty. People prefer sleeping on roads as it ensures some respite even when the cars pass by.
Rickshaw pullers, auto drivers, street vendors, daily wage workers and homeless are hit worst by the heat. The heat is so extreme that it has started to melt the asphalt on the surface of the roads. One can see distorted zebra crossings because of the overweening heat.
However, on Wednesday evening, people experienced some respite as temperatures dropped down to 41.8°C from 45° C in Delhi. Overcast skies in some parts of Telangana gave much needed relief. Rain and thunderstorms were also reported from some districts. According to meteorological department, there will be a fall in day temperatures by about 2°C over plains of northwest, east India, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Vidhabra on May 28 and 29.

[author image=”http://www.aapkatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Ruhani-Sethi.jpg” ]Hi, I am Ruhani Sethi. I am pursuing Bachelors in Business Economics from Gargi College. I have a keen interest for writing besides being a readoholic. Social issues appeal to me the most. I intend to do something big for the world, as big as a revolution!!.[/author]

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