34 dead as heatwave hits northern India

The death toll from a blistering heat wave in northern India rose to 34 today as officials ordered primary schools in India’s most populous state to close.

“Six people died of heat stroke in last 24 hours, taking the toll to 24,” said Anurag Singh, a government official in Lucknow the state capital of Uttar Pradesh.

Ten others have died in the eastern state of Orissa.

The dead, all homeless, have included two children, Singh said.

Temperatures have hovered at 43C – four to five degrees above normal.

The heat wave has been exacerbated by frequent power failures, as India’s notoriously unreliable electricity sector failed to cope with the increased demand to run air conditioners.

In response to the heat, the Uttar Pradesh government ordered all primary schools closed from tomorrow, almost a week before the summer holiday usually starts.

“District officials have been asked to ensure that all primary schools declare holidays from Tuesday. Erring school management should be punished,” Manoj Shukla, the government spokesman said.

The power blackouts and water shortages, caused by failed electric pumps, have led to street protests across Uttar Pradesh.

In New Delhi, the city government was forced to withdraw orders asking shops to shut early after traders protested.

On Friday, the government had ordered shops to close early in a bid to conserve electricity.

India faces chronic power shortages as its underdeveloped infrastructure struggles to meet the needs of its growing population and economy.