Rajasthan's Water Crisis Exacerbates Heat-Related Patient Numbers

In Rajasthan, the scorching heat is making the situation worse by causing a water crisis. 23 cities and towns in the state are facing a severe shortage of water. Some cities get water supply once every 96 hours, while others receive it every 72 hours. The Water Supply Department of Rajasthan provides drinking water to 251 cities and towns, but only 117 of them get water daily. The rest receive water once every two to four days. The maximum temperature in Rajasthan has been between 43–49 degrees Celsius for over two weeks, leading to a high demand for water. The Water Supplies Minister, Kanhaiya Lal Chaudhary, acknowledged the water crisis in the state. He mentioned that almost all districts are facing a water shortage and urged the public to conserve water. The government is working to manage the situation, but the minister emphasized that they cannot perform miracles. He expressed hope for a good monsoon to avoid the need for water trains. Rajasthan is already a water-scarce state with no permanent surface water source, and the groundwater levels are decreasing annually. In Rajasthan, the number of heatstroke patients rose to 3622 due to the ongoing intense heatwave conditions. Despite this, the death toll remained at one. Phalodi recorded the highest temperature in the state at 49.4 degrees Celsius, while Jaipur reached 46.4 degrees Celsius. Other cities like Kota, Ajmer, Bharatpur, and Jaisalmer also experienced temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius. The Indian Meteorological Department in Jaipur stated that the heatwave conditions would persist for the next 2-3 days, with temperatures expected to decrease starting from May 29. By the first week of June, the maximum temperature is predicted to return to normal levels.