Heat wave to hit northwest, east India in five days

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to hit the South Asian country's northwest and east in the next five days.

According to the IMD, the states set to be affected include Bihar, West Bengal Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

The IMD said on Sunday that maximum temperatures were recorded in the range of 42-45 degrees Celsius in many parts of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and in some parts of north Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar and Gujarat.

"These are above normal by 2-4 degrees Celsius over these areas," the weather department said. "Yesterday, the highest maximum temperature of 45.9 degrees Celsius was reported at Prayagraj (in East Uttar Pradesh)."

Multiple intense and prolonged heat waves have hit India during April and May.

India's Health Ministry earlier this month said at least 56 people were killed and nearly 25,000 suspected heat stroke cases recorded from March to May in the country.

However, local media, quoting officials, reported these figures "could be an undercount."

This year, the temperatures have been record-breaking in India. Many parts of the country experienced unrelenting heat waves for over two weeks, with maximum temperatures consistently hovering above 45 degrees Celsius and even soaring beyond 50 degrees Celsius in some areas.

As per India's National Center for Disease Control, heat strokes are "life-threatening" conditions with a mortality rate of 40-64 percent.

The weather department has already advised people to avoid heat exposure and stay in cool places. It has also asked people to keep hydrated by drinking sufficient water, even if they do not feel thirsty.