According to a new study, India could see an unprecedented 600,000 new infections per day if the country fails to increase vaccination rates and avert a third coronavirus wave.

The National Institute of Disaster Management, which is part of the interior ministry, anticipates a spike in cases as early as October. Daily infections could be reduced to 200,000 if the government follows through on its 10-million-per-day vaccination plan, according to the report, which cited a study by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Energy University and Nirma University.

The NIDM recommends organizing hospital beds and vaccinating the vulnerable to avoid the devastation caused by the second wave, which peaked in May and killed over 250,000 residents. Other forecasters predict a new wave in the coming weeks, though most believe it will be weaker than the previous surge.

The government's handling of the second wave drew widespread criticism, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity fell to 24 percent in August, down from 66 percent a year ago, according to an India Today poll. Only 9% of India's population has been fully vaccinated.