NEW DELHI, India — At least 16 people have died from heatstroke in southern India as an intense heatwave sweeps across parts of the country, authorities said on Sunday.
The deaths were reported in the state of Telangana, where officials have urged heightened vigilance amid rising temperatures and growing public health concerns.
State Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy called for urgent precautionary measures, warning that the heatwave had reached extreme levels.
“The intensity of the heat has reached unprecedented levels,” his office said in a statement, urging authorities to issue advance warnings and strengthen public safety measures.
Temperatures in several cities across India have recently exceeded 45°C, with prolonged exposure posing serious health risks. Medical experts warn that extreme heat can lead to severe dehydration, thickening of the blood, and, in critical cases, organ failure.
Authorities in Telangana have advised vulnerable groups—including the elderly, children, and pregnant women, to avoid outdoor activities during peak daytime hours.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast above-normal temperatures and continued heatwave conditions in multiple regions in the coming weeks.
In the capital, New Delhi, temperatures have remained above 40°C, driving electricity demand to record highs as residents rely heavily on cooling systems.
Night-time temperatures have also remained unusually high, offering little relief and compounding health risks.
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Scientists have increasingly linked the rising frequency and severity of heatwaves in India to climate change, with studies showing that extreme heat events are becoming longer, more intense, and more frequent.
India, the world’s most populous nation, remains the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases and continues to rely heavily on coal for power generation. The country has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
India’s highest recorded temperature stands at 51°C, measured in Phalodi, Rajasthan, in 2016.
