Odisha Faces Devastating Heatwave Impact - In the past 24 hours, a severe heatwave in Odisha has claimed 45 more lives, raising the state's death toll to 141 and bringing the national count to 211. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a respite from the extreme heat in the coming days.
Heatwave Expected to Subside Soon
On June 2, the IMD forecasted that the intense heatwave affecting northwest, central, and eastern India would begin to ease over the next three days.
Investigations Underway for Heat-Related Deaths
According to the Odisha government, post-mortem reports confirmed that 26 of the 45 recent deaths were due to heatstroke. Authorities are investigating if the remaining 107 deaths in Odisha are heatwave-related, though eight fatalities have been attributed to other causes. Many of these suspected heatwave deaths have occurred in the state's western regions.
Sundargarh Hit Hardest by Heatwave
The Sundargarh area is among the worst affected, with 35 suspected heatstroke deaths reported in just three days. Sundargarh's additional district magistrate, Ashutosh Kulkarni, confirmed that autopsies identified sunstroke as the cause of death for six individuals. The Balangir region reported 20 suspected sunstroke deaths, with four confirmed as heat-related. Investigations continue for the remaining cases.
Sambalpur Also Severely Affected
Sambalpur recorded 18 suspected heatwave-linked deaths. Post-mortems on seven cases confirmed sunstroke in five instances, with results for the other 11 cases pending, according to Sambalpur collector Akshay Sunil Agrawal.
Heatwave Claims Life in Bihar
In Daudnagar, Aurangabad, Bihar, constable Ram Bhajan Singh collapsed on June 1 while transporting electronic voting machines. He passed away the following day after being admitted to AIIMS in Patna.
Continued Heatwave in Odisha
The IMD predicts that heatwave conditions will persist until Wednesday in Odisha's western districts of Bargarh, Balangir, Nuapada, Sonepur, and Kalahandi. Coastal areas will continue to experience hot and humid weather until the arrival of the southwest monsoon.
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