A scorching heatwave has ravaged North India's Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, and other states, claiming the lives of at least 98 individuals who have succumbed to serious medical ailments in the past three days.
While 54 people have died in Uttar Pradesh, 44 died of extreme exhaustion, dehydration, and heat-related ailments in Bihar.
Over the past three days, around 400 people have been hospitalized at the district medical centers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for the treatment of heat-related health issues such as breathlessness, fever, heatstroke, and other.
Most of the patients were over 60 years of age, an official told Indian media.
To prevent the risk of heat stroke for patients and staff, District Hospital's Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Diwakar Singh said that several fans, coolers, and air conditioners have been installed at the hospital.
The number of doctors and paramedical staff has also been increased due to an influx of patients, he added.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia reached 42.2 °C on Friday, which is 4.7 degrees above normal.
While Bihar's capital city, Patna, recorded a maximum temperature of 44.7 °C, Sheikhpura district remained the hottest place at 45.1 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has declared a severe heatwave that is expected to persist for the next five days in various states, such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
Several states have ordered educational institutions to remain shut till June 30.