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Uttar Pradesh continued to battle severe heatwave conditions on Thursday as Banda recorded a blistering 48.2 degrees Celsius, emerging as the hottest place
in the country for the third consecutive day, according to the India Meteorological Department. The IMD also issued a ‘red alert’ for Uttar Pradesh over the next three days. Residents in Banda were seen gathering at roadside stalls to drink water and sherbet in an attempt to cope with the extreme temperatures. Many locals blamed deforestation and illegal mining for worsening the heat crisis in the district.
“It is scorching hot in Banda right now. It is a sort of ‘Agni Pariksha’ for Banda residents. I believe the reason for this rise in temperature is trees being cut down and illegal mining. Stone and sand mafia operate here,” local resident Puneet Saxena told ANI.
Another resident, Syed Imran Ali, said large-scale tree cutting had removed natural cooling systems in the area.
“The heat conditions are so bad that the temperature is continuously increasing. The biggest reason is illegal cutting down of trees to make roads. All the old huge trees that caused cooling due to their shadows have ceased to exist here,” he told ANI.
Lucknow Hospitals Prepare for Heatstroke Cases
As temperatures crossed 42 degrees Celsius in Lucknow, Civil Hospital established dedicated cold room facilities and special wards for heatstroke patients.Chief Medical Superintendent Devesh Chandra Pandey said the hospital had taken precautionary measures following government instructions.
“Considering the scorching heat this year, we have been directed by the government to be fully prepared. We have made a ward of 10 beds. We have set up a cold room area, which encapsulates three rooms where the AC is continuously on. We have stocked up ORS and ice packs,” he said.
IMD Issues Orange Alert Across Several Districts
The IMD has issued an orange alert for multiple districts in western Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, as the heatwave continues. Meteorologist Dinesh said Banda has recorded temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius for nearly a week due to clear skies, low soil moisture, drying rivers, deforestation and mining activities.Doctors have reported a rise in patients suffering from fever, vomiting, dizziness and diarrhoea linked to the prolonged heatwave. District Magistrate Amit Aseri said hospitals and ambulance services have been put on alert while advisories are being issued urging people to avoid stepping outdoors during peak afternoon hours.
