Unprecedented heatwave claims three lives in Bengal, India

The heatwave sweeping across the southern part of West Bengal has claimed three lives, with daytime temperatures hovering around 41 degree Celsius, five degrees above normal during this time of the year.

According to the meteorological department, such conditions are unheard of in this part of the country, where the humidity levels have plummeted below the 50 per cent and hot air starts blowing since early morning.

For the people of the city, it is normal to sweat profusely even at 35 degree Celsius, but this time around, with little sweat, sun strokes and other related diseases have become the norm.

One person aged around 40 and another 45, died after collapsing on a street at Chitpur in the northern part of the metropolis. They were declared dead on arrival at a hospital, police officials said. “Heatwave conditions will continue for at least the next two days in most southern districts of the state, including Kolkata,” Regional MeT director G.C. Debnath said.