Heat wave kills 33 poll workers on final day of Indian election, officials say

NEW DELHI:

At least 33 poll workers have died in the heatwave during the final phase of India’s general election, the country’s leadership said on Sunday.

Elections concluded on Saturday in 57 seats in several states, including northern Uttar Pradesh, where deaths were reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the weather situation and preparations for the monsoon season, an official statement said.

The heat wave “is likely to continue in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh,” it said.

Several Indian cities are suffering from a heat wave, with temperatures above 49 C (120.2 F), with several states reporting heat-related deaths.

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The capital New Delhi recorded an all-time high temperature of 52.9 C (127.2 F), but forecasters later said the reading was wrong.

On Saturday, the city of Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh recorded a temperature of 46.9 C (116.4 F) – the highest in the country, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinua said the poll warden would provide cash relief to the relatives of the deceased, including sanitation workers.

While May is considered the hottest month during the summer, the India Meteorological Department’s May weather outlook said the number of heatwave days is likely to be “above normal by about 5-8 days” in several Indian states .

In the eastern state of Odisha, officials confirmed nine heat-related deaths while awaiting confirmation of another 81 deaths.

The ruling party holds power in the northeastern state

Ahead of general election results to be announced on Tuesday, India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party retained power in parliamentary elections, the results of which were announced on Sunday.

According to the Election Commission of India, out of a total of 60 seats, the party won 46 seats in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. In the neighboring state of Sikkim, the ruling Sikkim Krandikari Morcha, a regional party, is set to return to power as it won 31 out of 32 seats in the assembly elections.