Uttar Pradesh, India — Tragedy struck as scorching temperatures led to the deaths of at least 33 polling staff members on the final day of voting in one Indian state. The extreme heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius in many areas, took a devastating toll on those working during the elections.
The India Meteorological Department reported that Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh recorded temperatures as high as 46.9 degrees Celsius. Chief electoral officer Navdeep Rinwa confirmed the deaths of the 33 polling personnel in Uttar Pradesh, including security guards and sanitation staff, attributing the fatalities to heat-related complications.
Rinwa announced that the families of the deceased polling staff would receive monetary compensation amounting to 1.5 million rupees (US$18,000) each. The relentless heat and dehydration caused by the extreme temperatures can lead to thickened blood and organ failure in individuals, explained experts.
In another incident reported by Rinwa, a voter collapsed while waiting in line to cast his ballot in Ballia. Despite being rushed to a medical facility, the man was pronounced dead upon arrival. These unfortunate events highlight the dangers posed by intense heatwaves, exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
As the voting concluded on Saturday, all eyes were on Hindu-nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is anticipated to secure a resounding victory for the third consecutive time. Exit polls indicated a strong likelihood of success for Modi, who expressed confidence in his triumph. The official election results are scheduled to be disclosed on Tuesday.
The tragic loss of polling staff in Uttar Pradesh serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of extreme heatwaves, underlining the urgent need for measures to address the escalating impact of climate change on vulnerable populations.