Severe Heatwave in Western Odisha Claims 41 Lives, Over 60 Hospitalised

Bhubaneswar: A severe heatwave has reportedly claimed 41 lives and hospitalised more than 60 individuals in western Odisha within the last 24 hours.

Rourkela has been particularly affected, with 12 deaths reported. The Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) witnessed 10 fatalities in just six and a half hours starting from 1 PM on Thursday. Eight people were brought in dead, while two others died during treatment. An additional two deaths occurred later in the night, according to Additional District Magistrate Ashutosh Kulkarni.

Currently, 23 patients are receiving treatment at RGH, with 10 referred to a high-tech hospital for further care. The Health Department has initiated an investigation into these unexpected deaths.

Other affected areas include Sambalpur with eight deaths, Sundargarh with four, Balangir with six, Jharsuguda with seven, and three in other western districts. Sundargarh Collector Dr. Parag Harshad Gavali confirmed a detailed inquiry will be conducted to determine the exact causes of these deaths.

The Special Relief Commissioner’s office has officially confirmed five sunstroke deaths across Odisha, with cases reported in Balasore, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Sonepur and Balangir. Postmortem examinations are underway to verify the causes.

The heatwave has driven temperatures above 45°C in nine locations in Odisha. Jharsuguda recorded the highest temperature at 47°C, followed by Titlagarh at 46.5°C, Bargarh at 46.3°C, Sambalpur at 46.2°C, Malkangiri at 45.6°C, Sonepur at 45.6°C, Bhawanipatna at 45.5°C, Balangir at 45.3°C and Hirakud at 45.2°C.