Searing heat wave kills 18

Lucknow, June 9 (UNI) The searing heat wave showed no signs of abating in Uttar Pradesh, even as at least 18 persons died of heat stroke in the last 24 hrs.

According to reports, five persons each died in Varanasi and Noida. Besides, two persons died in Hardoi, while one each succumbed in Lucknow, Unnao, Banda, Mahoba, Jaunpur and Jhansi districts.

Besides, three people died and 100 others taken ill since yesterday due to the spread of contagious diseases, brought about by heat wave and drinking water shortage in Mainpuri district.

In Aligarh, diarrhoea claimed three lives and 60 others are reported infected with the fatal disease.

The rising mercury in the past couple of weeks has left people sufferring. Roads remain deserted in afternoons as people find hard to leave the comfort of their house. The problem has been compounded by heavy load sheding and water crises.

The life of people in Amethi and Kanpur has become tough due to massive power cuts for 18 and 8 hrs respectively.

Handpumps and tubewells have gone dry, following ebbing ground water level, which is now posing threat to standing cash crops like sugarcane.

According to health experts, people need to change their diet chart by including cool milk, 'lassi', 'aam pana', mango, water melons and other seasonal fruits to 'beat the heat'.

People are also advised to eat less and increase intake of fluids to brave the scorching sun.

Mercury has soared 2-4 degrees Celsius above normal in Varanasi, Lucknow, Banda, Mahoba, Jaunpur, Allahabad and Kanpur divisions.

Agra was the hottest at 45.5 degrees Celcius, while Lucknow sweltered at 44 degrees celcius. The weather mainly remained dry at other places.

Meanwhile, the weatherman has forecast rain/thundershowers in the next 24 hrs, which might give respite to the masses.

UNI