Heatwave grips North India, 12 people dead in Rajasthan

At least 12 people in Rajasthan have died from suspected heat stroke this week as large parts of India continued to endure a severe heatwave on Thursday.

The deaths are believed to have been caused by heat stroke-like symptoms, although officials have yet to confirm the exact cause.

In Jalore, four deaths were reported, while in Barmer, two daily wage workers succumbed as temperatures soared to 48.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday, the highest recorded in the country this year. The intense heatwave also claimed lives in Alwar, Bhilwara, Balotra, and Jaisalmer.

Rajasthan's Minister of Disaster Management and Relief, Kirori Lal Meena, announced that the government would provide a "relief package" to the victims. He also urged people to take precautions, citing global warming as a contributing factor.

On Thursday, maximum temperatures reached 45 degrees Celsius in Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, according to official data.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a 'red' warning for Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, advising "extreme care" for vulnerable populations. "Very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages," the IMD warned.

The Met Office also indicated that warm night conditions could further exacerbate heat-related stress in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan over the next three days.

The intense heat has significantly increased India's power demand, reaching a seasonal high of 237 gigawatts (GW), surpassing the previous record of 234 GW earlier this week. This heatwave has also been a major concern during the ongoing seven-phased Lok Sabha elections.

While northern India struggles with the heatwave, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been experiencing heavy rainfall over the past few days. Rain continued on Thursday in several parts of these states, leading to waterlogging in many low-lying areas in various cities.