A severe heatwave has swept across India, resulting in at least 16 confirmed deaths due to heatstroke in the southern state of Telangana. As temperatures consistently push past the 45C mark in various regions, officials are urging citizens to exercise extreme caution. State revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy has called for heightened vigilance, specifically advising vulnerable populations—such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women—to avoid outdoor activities during the peak heat of the day.

Experts warn that such extreme conditions lead to rapid dehydration, which can be fatal as it causes the blood to thicken and internal organs to fail. The situation is exacerbated by high overnight temperatures that offer no relief from the blistering daytime sun. While India frequently faces intense summers, climate change is clearly intensifying the frequency and duration of these heatwaves. With New Delhi and other major hubs seeing record-breaking energy consumption as power grids struggle to keep up, the nation faces a daunting challenge in balancing its heavy reliance on coal with long-term climate commitments.