Heat wave claims 16 lives in UP

Lucknow, June 10 (UNI) Even as the killer heat wave showed minor signs of abating in Uttar Pradesh, at least 16 persons died of heat stroke in the last 24 hrs.

According to reports, three persons each died in Mahoba and Hamirpur. Besides, two persons died in Etawah, Agra and Jhansi, while one each, including a beggar, succumbed in Varanasi, Sonebhadra, Bagpat and Gonda districts. So far, the fatal heat wave has killed over 30 people in Mahoba alone.

Besides, 150 people have been taken ill, due to the spread of contagious diseases, brought about by heat wave and drinking water shortage in Mainpuri district.

In Gonda, a contagious disease claimed the life a girl and over 25 are reported to have been infected.

In the last 24 hrs, the people received a slight respite from the heat, but the humid easterlies continued to torment them.

Since the advent of June, UPites have been reeling under sweltering heat. Frequent power outages in several parts of the state have added to the woes of perspiring residents.

The unrelenting heat has made life miserable, with everybody prefering to stay indoors. Except air conditioned malls, streets remain deserted. The nights continued to be warm and humid.

In the absence of any respite from the hot and dry weather, the Met department had forecast a further rise in the temperature over Northwest India, already in the grip of the heatwave.

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 sheeding and water crises.

A report from Varanasi said the blistering heat has made life difficult for people of the holy city. Due to an increase in humidity level, even coolers have become of no use.

According to health specialists, people should try and stay indoors till 1500 hrs. They should venture out, only if needed, after having plenty of water.

The experts have advised the people to follow a vegetarian diet and increase the intake of vitamin C in the form of lemon and 'aam pana'. People also need to include cool milk, 'lassi', mango, water melons and other seasonal fruits in their diet to 'beat the heat'.

Besides initiating dietary changes, the 'Power of Yoga' should also be utilised. It helps in bearing the intense heat with ease.

The mercury rose but two to four degrees celsius above normal in Varanasi, Lucknow, Banda, Mahoba, Jaunpur, Allahabad, Bareilly, Agra and Kanpur divisions.

Taj City, for the second consecutive day, was the hottest at 47 degrees, six degrees above normal. The 'City of Nawabs' wilted at 42.4 degrees, followed by 42.4 degrees C in Allahabad.

A report from Agra said due to baking heat, a sharp decline in the number of tourists at the world famous Taj has been witnessed.

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

UNI