Lucknow, India – At least 33 polling staff members in the state of Uttar Pradesh succumbed to heatstroke on the final day of voting, as scorching temperatures swept across various parts of the country. The intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, has led to a significant number of fatalities, making it a particularly tragic situation.
The India Meteorological Department reported that temperatures soared to 46.9 degrees Celsius in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Navdeep Rinwa, the chief electoral officer for the state, confirmed the deaths of 33 polling personnel due to the extreme heat, including security guards and sanitation workers. Rinwa also mentioned that a compensation of 1.5 million rupees (US$18,000) will be provided to the families of the deceased individuals.
Dehydration and extreme heat exposure can lead to thickening of the blood and organ failure, according to experts. Rinwa highlighted a separate incident in the city of Ballia, where a voter waiting in line collapsed and succumbed to his condition upon reaching a health facility. These tragic incidents underscore the harsh reality of working in such extreme weather conditions during the election process.
India has a history of enduring high summer temperatures, but recent scientific studies have shown that climate change is exacerbating heatwaves, making them longer, more frequent, and more intense. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the voting process for the seventh and final stage of elections in Uttar Pradesh concluded on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Hindu-nationalist leader, is expected to secure a third consecutive landslide victory in the elections. Exit polls suggest a clear path to victory for Modi, who expressed confidence in his triumph as voting came to a close. The official results are scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, revealing the outcome of the intense electoral battle in the world’s largest democracy.