Heatwaves have claimed more than 17,000 lives in the country since 1971, a study by a team of top meteorologists has claimed. According to the study, extreme weather events (EWE) led to the deaths of 141,308 people since 1971. In India, the northern plains, saw temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius. In the plains and hilly regions, a heatwave is declared when the actual temperature of a weather station is 40 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius respectively. A heatwave is also declared when the actual maximum temperature exceeds the normal temperature, which should be more than 40 degrees Celsius.

Source: Hindustan Times July 04, 2021 10:07 UTC