119 died in 2023 heat wave in vulnerable Uttar Pradesh
- Residents of Banda, a northern Indian town that has recorded some of the country’s highest temperatures, endure extreme heat at all hours and frequent power cuts that prevent use of basic fans.
- Global warming, caused mostly by the burning of fossil fuels, is making heat waves across India more frequent and intense, the Associated Press reported.
- Uttar Pradesh, the state where Banda is located, is among those most vulnerable to extreme heat; a severe heat wave in 2023 killed at least 119 people over several days in parts of the state.
- Residents seek relief by sleeping outside, being hosed down with water, or using ice packs, according to the AP.
The Associated Press reported that the town of Banda has recorded some of India’s highest temperatures, and residents describe a constant search for relief from heat that persists even in the middle of the night. Long stretches without electricity leave some homes unable to run basic fans, making conditions more oppressive.
To cope, some residents sleep outdoors at night or hose themselves down with water during the day, the AP reported. The news agency published a photo taken June 21, 2026, showing a woman cooling herself with an ice pack in Banda.
Global warming, driven mostly by the burning of fuels such as gas, oil and coal, is making heat waves across India more frequent and intense, according to the AP. Uttar Pradesh, the state where Banda sits, is among those most vulnerable to extreme heat in the country. In 2023, at least 119 people died over several days during a severe heat wave in parts of the state.