Kolkata: The heatwave sweeping across the southern part of West Bengal has claimed three lives, with daytime temperatures hovering around 41 degree Celsius, five degrees above normal during this time of the year.
According to the meteorological department, such conditions are unheard of in this part of the country, where the humidity levels have plummeted below the 50 per cent and hot air starts blowing since early morning.
For the people of the city, it is normal to sweat profusely even at 35 degree Celsius, but this time around, with little sweat, sun strokes and other related diseases have become the norm.
One person aged around 40 and another 45, died after collapsing on a street at Chitpur in the northern part of the metropolis. They were declared dead on arrival at a hospital, police officials said. “Heatwave conditions will continue for at least the next two days in most southern districts of the state, including Kolkata,” Regional MeT director G.C. Debnath said.
The prevailing weather has severely affected political parties’ plans amid the ongoing elections, with most candidates restricting themselves to campaigning after sunset.
“It is nearly impossible to campaign during day time, as temperatures soar to a high of around 37 degrees even at 7am in the morning. Also, many of our workers have fainted hence we are restricting ourselves to campaigning only in the evening,” said Rahul Sinha of the BJP.
Other parties are following suit, but the state poll panel is worried about lower voter turnout due to severe weather.
“Voter turnout is bound to be affected especially among the older generation, who will find it difficult to come out of the house,” an official of the Election Commission said. The poll panel has set up sheds outside all booths and has asked officials to ensure that cold water is hand at all polling stations.
