8 die as worst heat wave in 94 years scorches Ahmedabad

It was intolerably hot, it was burning, it was Ahmedabad. The city was no better than a furnace with the maximum temperature soaring to 46.8 degree Celsius on Friday, the highest since 1916 when it touched a record-breaking 47.8 degree Celsius on May 27. This time it has claimed eight lives; nearly two dozen people were hospitalised by Friday evening.

But the temperature surged to its all-time high at Idar, where mercury climbed to 48.5 degree Celsius, making it the hottest region in the country. Barmer in Rajasthan was at  the second spot with the maximum temperature recorded at 47.4 degree Celsius. Little wonder that for the first time the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a severe heat wave warning, cautioning people against sun stroke.

"We have issued a severe heat wave warning for Gujarat as temperature is expected to be as high over the next two days. Citizens are requested not to venture out in the open between 12 pm and 4 pm," said Kamaljit Ray, director of IMD. 

This unexpected rise in temperature is believed to be a fallout of cyclone Laila, which hit the east coast of the country and aggravated the ongoing heat wave condition in Gujarat. Temperature at eight spots in the state, including Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhuj, VV Nagar and Deesa, touched 45 degree Celsius and above.

The rising temperature has also had its toll on the health of citizens. Doctors in Ahmedabad have reported a 60 per cent rise in cases of gastroenteritis and jaundice this week. Dr Pragnesh Vachchrajani, secretary of Gujarat State Family Physicians' Forum and vice-president of Ahmedabad Medical Association, said, "Cases of dehydration have increased and we are advising people to protect themselves from heat." "It's best not to eat food at street joints or at public functions as food items get spoilt faster in heat and consuming such over-fumigated food can lead to severe health hazards," he added.