At least 16 people have died from heatstroke in the southern Indian state of Telangana so far this summer, officials confirmed on Sunday, as a severe heatwave continues to grip large parts of the country.

Temperatures in several regions have hovered well above 45°C (113°F) in recent days, with little relief even at night as minimum temperatures remain unusually high. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy urged “statewide vigilance” to protect public health and called on local officials to issue timely warnings about heatwave precautions.

“The intensity of the heat has reached unprecedented levels,” Reddy’s office said in a statement, stressing the need for advance alerts and greater public awareness.

Health authorities in Telangana have advised the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing conditions to avoid going outdoors during daytime hours unless absolutely necessary. Experts warn that extreme heat can cause severe dehydration, thickening of the blood, and in serious cases, multiple organ failure.

India, home to 1.4 billion people, is no stranger to extreme summer heat, but scientists say climate change is making heatwaves longer, more frequent, and more intense. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast above-normal temperatures and intense heatwave conditions across several parts of the country this week.

In the national capital New Delhi and surrounding areas, temperatures have stayed above 40°C throughout the week, pushing power demand to record highs as residents and businesses ramp up air conditioning usage.

While the highest number of heat-related deaths has been reported in Telangana, officials are monitoring other states across central and northern India where similar conditions prevail. Hospitals have reported a sharp rise in cases of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

India, home to over 1.4 billion people, is highly exposed to heat-related risks due to dense urban populations, limited cooling infrastructure in many regions, and widespread outdoor labor. The country also remains heavily dependent on coal for electricity generation, though it has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2070.

The highest officially recorded temperature in India remains 51°C, measured in Phalodi, Rajasthan, in 2016, underscoring the extreme conditions that parts of the country can experience during peak summer months.

Authorities say emergency preparedness efforts are being expanded, including heat action plans in several states, public awareness campaigns, and increased monitoring of vulnerable communities as the current heatwave is expected to persist. (ILKHA)