Watch video: BSF soldier baked papad on sand amid heatwave, goes viral

New Delhi: A scorching heatwave has swept across North India, with several states witnessing record-breaking temperatures and prompting red alerts from the Meteorological Department. The intense heat has cast a spotlight on the plight of people, particularly those working outdoors, highlighting the harsh realities of extreme weather events.

Unrelenting heatwave scorches North India

The states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh are experiencing the brunt of the heatwave. The scorching sun has pushed temperatures to a staggering 47 degrees Celsius (116.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in some regions, offering no respite for the next five days. Even cities nestled in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh are grappling with the intense heat.

BSF soldier's viral video captures the severity

A video of a Border Security Force (BSF) soldier stationed on the Pakistan border in Bikaner, Rajasthan, has gone viral on social media. The video shows the soldier's ingenuity in the face of the scorching heat. With temperatures reaching a scorching 47 degrees Celsius, the soldier resorted to baking papad (a thin lentil wafer) on the hot sand, emphasizing the extreme conditions these brave men endure while guarding the nation's borders.

Temprature soars to 47° in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The sand along International Border fells like a furnace, but our troopers serving motherland stand strong.

Video showing a BSF Jawan roasting a papad in bikaner's sand goes viral.

Salute Bravehearts 🫡🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/eEZYXpslIn

— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) May 22, 2024

Red alert issued, vulnerable populations at risk

The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert, urging people, especially vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions, to exercise extreme caution. Daily activities have been significantly impacted, with many opting to stay indoors during the peak afternoon hours.

Heatwave takes toll on power consumption

The relentless heat has also triggered a surge in power consumption. Delhi, for instance, witnessed an all-time high of 7,717 MW on Tuesday afternoon, as residents cranked up air conditioners to combat the oppressive heat.

Looking ahead

The current heatwave serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by climate change. With rising temperatures becoming increasingly common, there's a pressing need for implementing effective heat action plans and investing in sustainable infrastructure to mitigate the impact of such extreme weather events.