Friday saw western India and Pakistan grappling under sweltering weather conditions, resulting in an estimated 11 suspected heat-specific fatalities. A forecasted cyclone set alarm bells ringing for parts of Bangladesh and the adjacent regions over the weekend.
The local press reported nine presumed heat-induced deaths in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Out of these, the desert city of Phalodi recorded the highest temperature for the year at a scorching 49 degrees Celsius (120.2 Fahrenheit). Disaster management authorities in the region cautioned that the conclusive cause of these casualties is yet to be confirmed pending completion of medical exams.
Weather forecasts caution potential heatwaves to severe heatwaves for distinct sections of the state, and nominations were made for the northern areas of Punjab and Haryana too. The western city of Ahmedabad encountered at least two heat stroke cases resulting in death, divulged additional superintendent Rajnish Patel to an Indian media house. Numerous individuals had to seek medical help in the past 72 hours, according to state-run ambulance service spokesperson Vikas Bihani.
India proclaims a heatwave when mercury levels soar to 40 C (104 F), a deviation of minimum 4.5 Celsius from the typical peak temperature. While summer temperatures usually skyrocket in May, experts warn of a surge in heat wave incidents this year, primarily induced by a cutback in non-monsoon thunderstorms and a declining dry El Nino phenomenon.
From Pakistan's perspective, its climate change ministry reported a severe heatwave affecting around 26 districts as of Thursday, with the scorching hot wave anticipated to persist until May 30. In the southern province of Sindh, two cities were forecasted to witness temperatures hitting the 50 C (122 F) mark, leading to school examinations getting postponed due to the unbearable heat.
In the eastern realm, Bangladesh and parts of West Bengal in India are bracing for the landfall of a “severe cyclonic storm" named Remal on Sunday. India Meteorological Department estimates the cyclone’s wind speed could touch 120 kph (75 mph).
The southern Indian state of Kerala reported a spate of fatalities caused by heavier than standard pre-monsoon rains that culminated in floods, disrupting air traffic in some places. Friday also saw predictions of heavy rainfall for Kerala.
In the end, a team of international scientists pointed to human-driven climate change as the likely culprit behind the lacklustre weather pattern across the continent last month.