Amid scorching heatwave, Centre sends teams to states worst-affected

Mansukh Mandaviya said a five-member team, comprising senior officials from the Health Ministry, and Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), will visit states worst affected by heatwave conditions.

He said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also been directed to suggest steps to minimise the adverse effect of heatwave.

"Arrangements will be made at every level for the protection of common life. We want to ensure no one dies of a heat stroke," Mandaviya said.

He said a virtual meeting will be held with the health ministers of the states where temperatures are soaring.

The weather department has predicted severe to very severe heatwave conditions in various regions such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Vidarbha, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana among others.

Over the past few days, deaths due to heat stroke have been reported from several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha.

In the wake of scorching heat, several states have extended their summer vacations as a response to the extreme heat.