Most parts of India are reeling under a severe heat wave currently. Many cities have seen the mercury cross 45 degree mark. On 10 June, Delhi recorded 48 degrees Celsius, an all time high for a June day. Hot dry winds are sweeping across Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Yesterday four Kerala tourists died of heatstroke while travelling in train in Jhansi. Unprecedented weather triggered a record number of heat stroke cases with a massive 40% spike in a week, prompting doctors to declare an emergency.
The monsoon’s progress also have been halted by Cyclone Vayu which is sucking in all the moisture from the atmosphere and is set to unleash it all when it makes landfall in Gujarat tomorrow. This severe heat wave and delay in the onset of monsoon can hit the farmers hard who are already struggling due to successive years of drought and crop failures.
