The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a break from the intense heat in Delhi NCR. As per the IMD, light to moderate rain and winds with speeds of 20-30 km/h will hit parts of Delhi and nearby areas. This change in weather is expected to provide much-needed relief from the scorching temperatures.
The IMD forecast includes various parts of Delhi such as North Delhi, North-East Delhi, North-West Delhi, West Delhi, and Central Delhi. Other areas in the NCR region like Loni Dehat, Hindon Air Force Station, Bahadurgarh, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, and Chhapraula will also experience rain.
In addition, Sonipat, Rohtak, Kharkhoda in Haryana, and Bagpat, Khekra, Modinagar, and Pilakhua in Uttar Pradesh are expected to receive rainfall in the next two hours.
Delhi and its surrounding regions have been facing extreme heat. The IMD had earlier issued a red alert for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar due to the severe heatwave. However, the conditions have improved slightly in some areas like Bihar, which received rainfall.
The IMD has now downgraded the alert to orange for Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi NCR, but West Uttar Pradesh remains under a red alert for the next two days. The temperature in Delhi NCR is expected to stay around 40 degrees Celsius, but relief is on the way as the monsoon is predicted to arrive around June 30.
The extreme heat has had severe consequences. On Wednesday, the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital reported five deaths due to suspected heatstroke. In addition, twelve people, mostly daily wage laborers, are in critical condition and on ventilator support.
Dr. Ajay Shukla, Medical Superintendent of RML Hospital, mentioned that 11 people were admitted with heatstroke on Tuesday, the highest number in a single day this season. Since the start of the heatwave about a month ago, the hospital has admitted at least 45 patients with heat-related issues. 22 patients have been admitted recently, and five have lost their lives due to suspected heatstroke.
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The majority of the patients affected by the heatwave are laborers who work in extreme conditions. Many of these patients reach the hospital too late, leading to a high mortality rate of 60-70 percent for severe heatstroke cases. Dr. Shukla emphasized the importance of timely medical intervention to prevent deaths.
Dr. Amlendu Yadav, Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine at RML Hospital, highlighted that most patients are middle-aged laborers and the primary earners for their families. Another vulnerable group includes elderly individuals who may not stay hydrated or live on the top floors of buildings, making them more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
As Delhi NCR anticipates relief from the heat with the expected rain and cooler winds, the severe impact of the heatwave continues to be a significant concern. The arrival of the monsoon around June 30 brings hope for more consistent relief from the extreme temperatures.
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