India's data deficiencies could explain its heat complacency

The country still lacks reliable figures on lives lost to heat waves

- DAVID FICKLING

With temperatures across India soaring above 45° Celsius this week, you would hope its government had learnt from last year’s deadly heat waves and properly prepared the health system for the next climate-driven crisis. Temperature and humidity at levels now seen in South Asia’s pre-monsoon season are already testing the limits of human survivability. That risks mass deaths as the planet warms further this century.

But attempts to even enumerate what is happening are embroiled in arguments. Nearly 100 people have died from heat-related conditions in two of the country’s most populous states in recent days, AP reported this week, but officials, including medics, have disputed the claims.