Large parts of India are experiencing an intense heat wave. On Tuesday, the weather remained extremely hot for the fifth consecutive day.
No relief is predicted in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and northwest Madhya Pradesh during the next five days.
The Met Office has issued a red warning for these states, stressing the need for "extreme care for vulnerable people".
The lower hills of Himachal Pradesh are experiencing extreme heat, providing a refuge for people seeking relief from the scorching temperatures in the plains.
On Tuesday, temperatures soared above 45 degrees Celsius in Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh, prompting many to stay indoors during the afternoon.
Parts of Gujarat are also grappling with high heat and humidity. The mercury reached a staggering 47.8 degrees Celsius in Haryana's Sirsa, making it the hottest place in the country.
In Delhi, temperatures decreased slightly from the previous days but still remained three to five notches above the normal range for this time of the year.
Officials said the national capital's peak power demand reached an all-time high of 7,717 MW on Tuesday afternoon as households and offices increased the use of air conditioners.
The power demand is projected to cross 8,000 MW, peaking at around 8,200 MW this summer.
Resident Welfare Associations in Delhi demanded that coolers, fans, cold drinking water, and doctors be available at polling booths to beat the heat on election day in the national capital.
Polling for the seven Lok Sabha seats in the city will be held on May 25.
The IMD had earlier warned of extreme heat in India during the April-June period, coinciding with the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections that end on June 1.
For three years in a row, severe heat waves have impacted a large number of people in parts of India, affecting health, water availability, agriculture, power generation, and other sectors of the economy.
The crippling heat particularly strains low-income households, which often have poor access to water and cooling, and tests the endurance of outdoor workers toiling in the searing sun, forcing them to take frequent breaks.
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