At least 54 polling personnel, including security guards and sanitation staff, succumbed to heatstroke on the final day of voting in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, amid a severe heatwave that has gripped large parts of the country.
Navdeep Rinwa, the state's chief electoral officer, confirmed the deaths, adding that a monetary compensation of 1.5 million rupees ($18,000) would be provided to the families of the deceased.
The deadly incident underscores the brutal impact of the ongoing heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in many regions. Jhansi city recorded a scorching 46.9 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit) on Saturday, while the heat index in Ballia city reportedly reached a staggering 61 degrees Celsius.
The intense heatwave has also resulted in multiple fatalities nationwide, with the Hindustan Times reporting a total of 58 heat-related deaths on Saturday alone.
Apart from Uttar Pradesh, the states of Bihar, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh also reported numerous deaths due to heat exposure. Bihar saw at least 10 election-related deaths, while Odisha recorded nine deaths on Saturday, pushing the two-day death toll to 54. Experts warn that extreme heat exposure can lead to dehydration, thickening of the blood, and subsequent organ failures.
India is no stranger to extreme summer temperatures, but climate change has exacerbated the situation, making heatwaves more frequent, intense, and prolonged. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been issuing warnings, but the toll continues to rise as millions endure the scorching conditions.
Despite the grim toll, the nation is focused on the outcome of the recently concluded elections. Exit polls suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to secure a third consecutive term, with his party expected to win a strong majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. Nearly a billion Indians were registered to vote in the extensive seven-phase elections that spanned six weeks and concluded on Saturday.
Votes will be counted on Tuesday, with final results anticipated by the end of the day. As the nation awaits the election results, the tragic deaths of polling personnel highlight the severe challenges posed by the relentless heatwave.
