Odisha Heatwave Kills 2: Jajpur Man, Cuttack Girl Student Suspected Sunstroke Victims

Bhubaneswar: Amidst scorching heatwave conditions in Odisha, two individuals, including a girl, are suspected to have succumbed to sunstroke in separate incidents on Saturday.

One victim, identified as Santosh Jena (34) from Osala village, Jajpur district, was reportedly returning home on his motorcycle around noon when he collapsed. Bystanders rushed him to the Korei Community Health Centre, but his condition necessitated further treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Tragically, Jena passed away while an ambulance was being arranged for his transfer.

Separately, 21-year-old Bhubaneswari Das of Cuttack City experienced illness upon returning home from college around midday. Her family rushed her to the SCB Hospital via ambulance. Initially admitted to the hospital’s heatstroke ward, Das’ condition deteriorated, and she was subsequently shifted to the ICU, where she passed away during treatment.

While the official cause of death in both cases awaits confirmation, heatstroke is strongly suspected. Odisha has been grappling with scorching temperatures for the past five days, with Boudh recording the season’s highest at 44.3 degrees Celsius on Friday.