Updated on June 1, 11:21 am (IST): Cooling Monsoon rain to bring relief from second deadliest heatwave in India
The past week that witnessed roads melting, water shortages, hospitals flocked by patients suffering from heatstroke and labourers succumbing to the deadly heat is likely to be followed by a week full of cooling pre-Monsoon and Monsoon rain in parts of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Delhi.
The brutal heatwave that claimed more than 2000 lives in several parts of southern states and gripped some parts of North India, has been reported as the second deadliest heatwave in India and fifth deadliest ever heatwave in the world by an international database of disasters. These figures are maintained in the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) maintained by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) based in Brussels, Belgium.
Though the death toll has crossed 2248, local authorities hope it to halt before it touches the mark of 2541 deaths that occurred due to the deadliest heatwave in India back in 1998.
Updated on May 31, 11:45 am (IST): Heat wave death toll crosses 2200, no respite soon
Heat wave shows no mercy, as the death toll across India crossed over 2200. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana along with Odisha continue to be worst affected pocket that reported 202 more deaths on Saturday.
Heat wave conditions are still gripping parts of Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
No respite is expected from the sizzling hot winds during next 48 hours, however, we can expect some relief thereafter. Skymet Meteorology Division in India predicts rainfall and thundershower activities over all these areas, which will bring down the maximum temperatures.
Updated on May 30, 12:30 pm (IST): Heatwave Continues in parts of India, Death Toll Crosses 2000
Parts of India continue to reel under heatwave conditions as the death toll has crossed 2,000. The worst hit have been the twin states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where more than 1950 deaths have been recorded so far. Almost all these deaths have been reproted in the last 8 to 10 days.
There is some respite from heatwave conditions in Rajasthan and Gujarat. However, Central India and East India remain under the grip of heatwave.
Updated on May 29, 10:15 am (IST): Heatwave conditions claim more than 1800 lives The simmering heat refuses to give way to some relief while it continues to claim lives across several parts of India. With death toll crossing 1800 and more reports coming in, more deaths are likely before dust storm in North India and Monsoon in Peninsular India ushers in some respite from the summer heat. So far, 1334 deaths in Andhra Pradesh, 440 in Telangana, 43 deaths in Odisha and 7 from Gujarat have been reported. Heatwave conditions are prevalent in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand as these state continue to feature in Skymet's list of hottest places.
Updated on May 28, 11:15 am (IST): No Relief from Intense Heat Wave, Death Toll Climbs Over 1400 So far, most parts of India are reeling under intense heatwave conditions. The death toll has crossed 1400. In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh alone, more than 1350 deaths have been reported. However, traces of rain in Hyderebad on Wednesday night has given a slight relief to millions who had been praying for rain. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh state governments have asked people in villages to wear comfortable clothes, keep themselves hydrated and try to stay inside their homes between 9 am to 4 pm as long as it is not absolutely necessary to step outside the house Meanwhile, intense heatwave in Delhi has claimed two lives, however, there has been a slight drop in temperatures today. Asphalt road surfaces in the national capital melted in New Delhi, causing disruptions to the road markings in the city. Also, in Kolkata cab drivers have refused to work from 11 am to 4 pm due to intense heatwave conditions.
Updated on May 27, 10:30 am (IST): Heat wave claims more than 1000 lives in India
It’s not even a week and baking heat in several parts of India has already claimed lives of more than 1000 people. The worst-hit area is the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh, where more than 800 people have been reported dead. The neighboring state of Telangana is another worst affected state where more than 250 people have died due to intense heat. Reports of people dying due to severe heat wave have come from West Bengal and Odisha where toll has crossed almost 2 dozen. While several places are witnessing temperatures reaching upto 50°C, the hot and dry winds blowing from Pakistan's Sindh province across the northern and central plains of India is contributing to the dismal situation in India right now. According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the high temperatures are expected to continue for another two days before any respite appears.
Updated on May 26, 12:01 pm (IST): Killer heat wave continues across India, death toll rises over 700 While more than 500 people died in Andhra Pradesh, at least 210 people were reported dead in Telangana. The most common victims of the scorching summer heat have been homeless, elderly and construction workers. India has been baking since April, but death figures have started to come in since last week of May only due to intense heat wave that remains unabated from Delhi, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and other parts of North India. The death toll is expected to rise further that is likely to include cases of sun stroke and dehydration.
Updated on May 25, 12:18 pm (IST): Massive heat wave continues, death toll rises over 500 Over 500 people have been reported dead, as massive heat wave continues to sweep most parts of India. Worse, Skymet Meteorological Department predicts that severe heat wave conditions will continue for next few days. On Sunday, Delhi recorded 43.5°C, four degrees above normal, while Palam Observatory recorded 44.6°C. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha also recorded temperatures above 45°C. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been the states worst hit, which have alone reported over 350 deaths due to heat wave conditions. Hot and dry northwesterly winds continue to blow across the country, which will further lead to rise in maximum temperatures. No respite is expected in near future as no weather system is in sight. Let us have a look at the maximum temperatures across India on Sunday. 
Updated on May 24, 1:55 pm (IST): Heat wave intensifies across India, claims over 330 lives Heat wave has tightened its grip over most parts of the country, claiming more than 330 lives in last three days. What is more terrifying is that there isn't any respite expected from the scorching heat as the mercury will continue to soar further. Reportedly, 75 people have died in Andhra Pradesh and 60 in Telangana. Day temperatures have been settling six to eight degrees above the normal average, forcing people to stay indoors.
According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the maximum temperatures across North, Central, East and parts of Peninsular India have been on a rising trend in the absence of any weather activity. As per the latest forecast, heat wave accompanied by 'loo' will continue to wreak havoc in the country for the next four to five days. Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions would prevail over Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh.
However, dust storms and thunderstorms at isolated places of Northwest India might bring temporary relief. On Saturday, Khammam in Telangana recorded 48°C as the day temperature, breaking all-time high record of 47.2°C, observed in 1947. Various state governments have already issued guidelines urging people to take appropriate precautions before heading outside. Homeless and labourers are the most affected as they reported maximum number of fatalities. Let us have a look at the soaring temperatures across India on Saturday. Maximum temperatures in North and Central India:
Maximum temperatures in East and Peninsular India: 
Image Credit: cnn.com
