Odisha Heatwave Claims 20 Lives in Three Days, Relief Measures Underway

Twenty people have died in Odisha due to sunstroke over the last three days amid an intense heatwave, according to an official statement. The state's Special Relief Commission reported a total of 99 suspected sunstroke deaths, with 20 confirmed and further investigations ongoing.

Twenty people succumbed to sunstroke in Odisha over the past three days as the state grapples with a severe heatwave, an official statement revealed.

Since Friday, districts reported 99 suspected sunstroke deaths. Post-mortem and inquiries confirmed 20 deaths, with two attributed to other causes, said the Special Relief Commission's statement.

Investigations continue for the remaining cases. Previously, 42 suspected sunstroke deaths were reported, with six confirmed as sunstrokes and another six due to other causes, according to the statement.

Most deaths were reported in Bolangir, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Sonepur, Sundergarh, and Balasore districts. On Sunday, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena and Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu assessed the situation with district collectors.

They directed district administrations to enforce heatwave advisory and precautionary measures. Districts were also instructed to ensure post-mortem exams for sanctioning ex-gratia.

Officials emphasized a joint inquiry by local revenue and medical officers to determine the exact cause of each death.

The IMD issued an 'orange' alert for Bargarh and Bolangir till Tuesday morning, and a 'yellow' alert for Kalahandi, Nuapada, and Sonepur districts. Hot and humid conditions were expected in other regions, though heavy rains on Monday night brought temporary relief to some coastal districts.