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Engineers in India have warned of the possibility of prolonged power outages in the north, where a heatwave has brought misery for millions of people.
Demand for electricity has soared due to fans, air coolers and air conditioners being run constantly, placing a strain on the grid in Delhi and elsewhere in the north. Manufacturers of air conditioners and air coolers report sales rising by 40-50% compared with last summer.
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Many parts of India have been in the grip of a heatwave since mid-May. Overnight temperatures of about 33C (91F) have meant there is little to no respite from the heat.
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Life has become particularly difficult for people obliged to work outside, such as street vendors, traffic police, security guards, delivery staff, auto-rickshaw wallahs and construction workers. The poor neighbourhoods they tend to live in have experienced water shortages that have exacerbated the difficult conditions.
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