Hommam Al Nassim 
At least 14 people died in one day this week in the southern Indian state of Bihar, due to extreme heat, according to a government statement issued Friday.
Most parts of India witnessed an unprecedented rise in temperatures, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in many cities.
The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority reported, “According to the information received so far, a total of 14 people have died as a result of heatstroke.” The authorities have not published the death toll nationwide, except for Bihar.
In the state of Rajasthan, which recorded the highest temperatures in recent days, the Supreme Court criticized the authorities for not taking appropriate measures to protect people from extreme heat.
Before announcing the deaths in Bihar, the court noted that “due to extreme weather phenomena in the form of heat waves, hundreds of people died this month,” and called on the government to declare a national emergency, demanding the establishment of a compensation fund for the relatives of the deceased.
Among the deceased in Bihar were 10 election workers who were preparing for the final day of elections, Saturday, in a six-week poll.
Summer temperatures in India are worsening due to climate change, which has led to longer, more frequent and more intense heat waves, according to researchers.
In New Delhi, rising temperatures this week led to an increase in energy consumption, hitting a record high on Wednesday.
Researchers believe that climate change caused by human activity has caused devastating repercussions in India, which requires taking it as a serious warning.
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