At least 16 people have died from heatstroke in southern India as an intense heatwave continues across several regions, officials said on Sunday. The deaths occurred in Telangana state, where temperatures have soared well above 45 degrees Celsius in some cities. Telangana’s Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy has called for a state-wide alert to protect public health, describing the heatwave’s intensity as unprecedented.

The India Meteorological Department recently forecast higher-than-normal temperatures and severe heatwaves in multiple areas, including the capital New Delhi, where temperatures have remained above 40 degrees Celsius throughout the week. The extreme heat has driven electricity consumption to record levels, while high nighttime temperatures have offered little relief.

Health experts warned that excessive heat can cause dehydration and, in severe cases, organ failure. Local authorities in Telangana have advised elderly people, children, and pregnant women to avoid going outdoors during the day. Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in India to climate change, as the country remains heavily dependent on coal for power generation.