Weather forecasts show that high temperatures in eastern and northwestern India will continue until June 17, and several states in India have issued red warnings for high temperatures.
The highest temperature in New Delhi, capital of India, reached 44 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The weather forecast shows that the highest temperature in New Delhi will remain above 40 degrees Celsius in the next seven days.
Since mid-May, the temperature in many parts of northern India has been hovering between 45 and 50 degrees Celsius. The meteorological department said that since the beginning of summer this year, the temperature in most parts of northern India has been significantly higher than normal, and the extreme high temperature of over 40 degrees Celsius has lasted for more than 20 days.
Since June 1, precipitation in northern India has been around 30-60 percent lower than normal, while precipitation in southern India has been 69 percent higher than normal.
"Because of the hot weather, we are facing many problems. Previously, when the temperature was cooler, we could work for about eight hours. But now, we can only work for six hours. We feel very weak and can only keep drinking water because we often get feverish when working under the hot sun," said Raja Ram, a construction worker in New Delhi.
The high temperature has also caused a surge in electricity consumption across India. Due to concentrated electricity demand and aging power supply lines, some places in New Delhi and surrounding areas have experienced power outages for several hours.
Continuous heat haunts northern India
Continuous heat haunts northern India
Continuous heat haunts northern India
A Chinese envoy stressed the need for global cooperation to promote international nuclear arms control efforts amid unprecedented and formidable challenges faced by the international nuclear disarmament process, while addressing a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting on nuclear weapons on Monday.
During the thematic debate on nuclear weapons at the 79th session of the UNGA, Shen Jian, Chinese Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs, stated that the international nuclear disarmament process is encountering unparalleled challenges stemming from the lack of strategic mutual trust among major powers, escalating geopolitical tensions, and prolonged regional conflicts.
Therefore, there is a need for all countries to jointly work towards reducing nuclear risks, advancing nuclear disarmament, and preventing nuclear proliferation, Shen noted.
According to the Chinese envoy, it is necessary to deescalate regional tensions and end hostilities promptly, reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national security policies, cease the provocative deployment of strategic forces to the forefront, adhere to a practical and feasible path of nuclear disarmament, maintain an objective and rational stance on nuclear transparency issues, and promote international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.
"Both the symptoms and root causes of the prominent risks and challenges in the nuclear field should be addressed. Being obsessed with the Cold War mentality, hyping up major power competition, and inciting bloc confrontation will only lead the international nuclear arms control process into a dead end. The international community should uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, adhere to true multilateralism, respect each other's legitimate security concerns, and work together to promote the international nuclear arms control process," Shen said.
As the current coordinator of the cooperation mechanism of the five nuclear-weapon states, China hosted an expert-level meeting in New York on October 7 to start substantive work during its tenure. China will also continue its efforts to enhance dialogue and cooperation among the five nuclear-weapon states, Shen said.
China calls for global efforts to promote int'l nuclear arms control process
