Indian heat wave kills 52

A sweltering heat wave in India’s eastern and southern parts has killed at least 52 people, as temperatures have soared up to 47 degrees Celsius since summer began last month, government officials said today.

The dead were mostly old people, small children and the poor, who lack proper shelter and adequate drinking water. Also, gruelling heat is made worse by power cuts that shut off fans and water pumps.

Southern Andhra Pradesh state reported 28 deaths this month, with temperatures shooting to 47 degrees Celsius in the Telangana and Rayalaseema regions, said Sree Naresh, an additional commissioner handling disaster management.

Local newspapers put the death toll around 100.

“We are counting only those deaths which are confirmed by the local officials as caused by the heat wave,” Naresh told The Associated Press.

In Orissa, on India’s tropical, southeastern coast, authorities reported 10 deaths in the past week, raising the total death toll to 24 since last month, said state Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal.

The death toll is likely to go up, with meteorologists expecting no respite until monsoon rains hit Orissa and other Indian states at the end of June. The monsoon season continues in India until the end of September.