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Blistering Heat Wave One of the Deadiest in India

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The death toll from the heat wave in India is now above 2,300, making it the fifth deadliest in the world. In large parts of the country, there's no relief in sight from the blistering temperatures.

CBN Disaster Relief is on the scene to bring water to people who desperately need it.

Temperatures near 120 degrees Fahrenheit, coupled with a lack of rain, have caused water shortages in thousands of Indian villages and deaths from heat-related conditions, including dehydration and heat stroke.

What some have called India's hottest summer since record keeping began in the late 1800s have people across the nation doing what they can to stay hydrated and alive. 

Many farmers, construction workers and the poor continue to work outdoors despite the risks. These people, along with the elderly poor, are among the most vulnerable.

"I have to work in the sun," Krishna Mandal, a construction worker, told CBN News. "I am poor and I have children to feed at home."

"It is difficult, but what can we do? We have to work so we can take care of our children," said Sripal Gupta, a street food vendor.

CBN's Mobile Water Distribution Camps have distributed almost 30,000 gallons of water in the hardest hit regions, and CBN India has set up medical camps in villages.

"We are facing lot of difficulties as water comes only once in 15 to 20 days," a local resident named Sarojini Messey said. "The water is contaminated with waste and it's not fit for drinking. We have to travel to far off places to collect water. We appreciate your efforts."
 
India should receive cooling monsoon rains this time of year, but AccuWeather warns the drought may continue. May is usually India's hottest month.

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About The Author

Dale
Hurd

Dale Hurd utilizes his four decades of experience to provide cutting-edge analysis of the most important events affecting our world. Since joining CBN News, Dale has reported extensively from Europe, China, Russia, and South America. His reports have been used or cited by NBC News, Fox News, and numerous news websites. Dale was credited with “changing the political culture in France” through his groundbreaking coverage of the rise of militant Islam in that nation. His stories garnered millions of views in Europe on controversial topics ignored by the European media. Dale has also covered the