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India declares severe heat wave; temperatures reach 52 Celsius

by VOA News

   India issued a heat wave as temperatures in New Delhi reached a high of
   52.3 degrees Celsius (126.3 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, marking the
   second day of the nation's record-high heat.

   The India Meteorological Department predicted that "severe heat-wave
   conditions" will persist in multiple regions. It added the temperatures
   would die down in central and northwest India on Thursday.

   Three people died Tuesday due to heat stroke in the desert state of
   Rajasthan, which previously held the national record for high
   temperatures.

   Temperatures reached 49.9 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday.

   Local government officials imposed limits on water usage, issuing the
   equivalent of $24 in fines for people participating in activities that
   require copious amounts of water, like washing cars.

   The criteria for declaring a heat wave in India requires the maximum
   temperature to be 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius (40.1 to 43.52 degrees
   Fahrenheit) higher than usual. A severe heat wave alert is issued when
   temperatures are at least 6.5 degrees Celsius (43.7 degrees Fahrenheit)
   higher than normal.

   Scientists say Asia's scorching temperatures this summer will be
   worsened because of human-driven climate change.

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