At Jhansi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, a tragic incident unfolded during the final day of voting in India’s elections. A total of 33 polling staff succumbed to heatstroke due to the scorching temperatures that plagued the region. This marked a devastating toll in just one day, reflecting the severity of the heatwave that swept across the country with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in many areas.
The Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, Navdeep Rinwa, confirmed the news of the 33 fatalities, which included security guards and sanitation workers. Rinwa announced that the families of the deceased would receive a monetary compensation of 1.5 million rupees each. Experts explained that dehydration coupled with extreme heat exposure can lead to thickening of the blood and organ failure.
In a separate unfortunate incident, a voter in Ballia collapsed while waiting in line to cast their vote. Despite being rushed to a health facility, the individual was declared dead upon arrival. These incidents shed light on the immense challenges faced by polling staff and voters alike in the sweltering heat of the Indian summer.
India has long grappled with soaring temperatures during the summer months, but scientists have warned that climate change is exacerbating heatwaves, making them longer, more frequent, and more intense. This alarming trend has serious implications for the health and safety of the population, particularly for those participating in events like elections amidst such extreme conditions.
Despite the tragic events that unfolded, Hindu-nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to secure a third consecutive victory in the elections. Exit polls have indicated a landslide win for Modi, who expressed confidence in his success following the conclusion of the voting process. The official results are scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, further solidifying Modi’s political dominance in the country.