Washington, July 6 (IANS). Extreme heat and heatwave have created a serious situation in America. So far, more than 24 people have died amid the record breaking temperatures. Due to the huge ‘heat dome’ built over the eastern part of the country, crores of people have been suffering from extreme heat for several days.
Temperatures were recorded above 38 degrees Celsius in more than 20 states of America. As of Sunday, more than 14 crore (140 million) people were under heat alert.
Authorities in New Jersey believe 22 people have died due to the extreme heat. These deaths occurred in 10 districts of the state, most of which are from the central and northern regions. “Unfortunately, many of these people were found in homes that did not have air conditioning. Some people were outside their homes, some on the streets and some even in parked cars,” New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Renard Washington told reporters at a press conference on Saturday.
According to officials, the first death occurred on Thursday. The age of the deceased was between 30 and 80 years. In the initial investigation, the cause of these deaths is believed to be heatwave, although the final confirmation will be after medical examination.
The Public Health Department said that this is not normal heat, but a situation that can prove fatal for both humans and animals.
One heat-related death was also recorded in Cook County, Illinois. In Mississippi, 74-year-old Mitchell Ray Cooley died due to extreme heat. He went missing and the next day his body was found behind a petrol pump.
Additionally, 83-year-old Martha Irene Van Egmond also died in Mississippi. She had fallen in her garden. Her husband himself fell down while trying to lift her. Both remained trapped in the intense heat for several hours. Help later arrived, but by then Martha was dead.
According to ABC News, US President Donald Trump’s programs were also affected by the heatwave. During the celebrations in Washington, DC, 51 people were treated for heat-related problems, including 12 who were hospitalized. Many public events, including the Independence Day Parade, had to be canceled due to the extreme heat.
According to meteorologists, the heat is expected to subside somewhat in the North-East and Midwest areas, but its effect is now moving towards the South and South-Eastern states. Experts are considering such continuously increasing and dangerous heatwaves as a sign of climate change. At the same time, the US National Weather Service (NWS) has advised people to drink enough water, avoid sunlight, stay in air-conditioned places and keep checking on the well-being of the elderly and neighbors.
–IANS
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