Health Dept Directs Probe Into Alleged ‘Heatstroke’ Deaths In Western Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Reacting to reports of over 41 deaths due to suspected heatstroke in Western Odisha, the Odisha Public Health Department ordered for an inquiry to confirm the exact cause of their death.

“Bodies of the persons who died due to suspected heatstroke will be sent for autopsy. The exact cause of these deaths can be ascertained after post-mortem” said state director of Public Health, Nilakantha Mishra.

The Public Health Department has sent a fact-finding team to Rourkela to enquire the matter and take stock of the situation. Around 41 deaths due to suspected heatstroke were reported from western Odisha districts. They included 17 deaths in Sundargarh, 8 in Sambalpur, 7 in Jharsuguda, 6 in Bolangir, and three in other parts of Odisha.

Among 17 suspected heatstroke deaths in Sundargarh district, Rourkela registered 14 deaths. While 12 persons had died a day back in Rourkela, two more persons died on Friday while undergoing treatment. Besides, 30 others are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in the district.