Story perspectives

Indian Elections Proceed Amid 38°C Heatwave, Relief Mandated

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry run April 9-29 as temperatures climb to 38 °C.
Yellow heatwave alerts covered 12 of Kerala’s 14 districts, but only five of the 13 sites of the 20 suspected heat deaths in 2024-2025 received alerts.
Chief election commissioner Archana Patnaik orders shade, water, shelter and medical aid at rallies while the Election Commission reports no official data on heat-related voter illnesses or deaths.

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Story summary

Elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry run April 9-29 as temperatures climb to 38 °C.
Yellow heatwave alerts covered 12 of Kerala’s 14 districts, but only five of the 13 sites of the 20 suspected heat deaths in 2024-2025 received alerts.
Chief election commissioner Archana Patnaik orders shade, water, shelter and medical aid at rallies while the Election Commission reports no official data on heat-related voter illnesses or deaths.