Indian state eases compensation rules for heat wave deaths

The government of the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh has waived the requirement of a post mortem in order for families to be compensated for heat-wave related deaths, reports Reuters. Recent natural disasters have highlighted India's vulnerability to the effects of climate change.

Poverty exacerbates the popualations vulnerability."These deaths are easily avoidable," said M. Sudhir Kumar, a civil assistant surgeon at Dakkili Primary Healthcare Centre, adding that not many head basic precautions like avoiding work in the sun due to poverty.