Heatwave claims 19 lives in Bihar, 10 in Odisha

As many as 19 people died due to heatstroke in Bihar as the state experienced intense heatwave conditions, with the temperature exceeding 44 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

Aurangabad registered the maximum number of deaths at 12 while four people lost their lives in the Kaimur district, including a worker on election duty. The scorching heat has also claimed three lives in Arrah.

Dr Sahil Raj, a doctor at Kaimur’s Mohania sub-divisional hospital, told ANI news agency that a total of 40 people had come to the hospital who had been affected by heat stroke.

In Odisha, 10 people died of suspected heatstroke in Rourkela city.

The director-in-charge (DIC) of Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH), Dr Sudharani Pradhan, told PTI news agency that the deaths occurred within a span of six hours from 2 pm onwards on Thursday.

“Eight people were dead by the time they reached the hospital, while the rest died while undergoing treatment here. This was likely due to the intense heatwave,” she said.

“The body temperatures were around 103-104 degrees Fahrenheit, which is very high given the weather conditions. This could be the possible reason behind the deaths. The history could not be studied as they arrive dead,” she said.

A few more people were undergoing treatment.

“At this moment the real cause is not known. It could be ascertained tomorrow after the post-mortem examination,” said Pradhan.