Bhubaneswar: As many as 41 deaths due to 'sunstroke' have been reported from various places in western Odisha in the last three days this summer.

Of the total fatalities, 8 persons died in Sambalpur, 3 in Balangir and 7 in Sundargarh districts.

The district administrations have initiated an investigation into alleged sunstroke deaths. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. The cause of death will be ascertained after the post-mortem report.

According to reports, two people from Naktideul area and Kalibari area in the Sambalpur district died due to extreme heatwave conditions. Six more people died in different hospitals in the district in the last three days.

Similarly, four people reportedly died due to sunstroke in Balangir district during the period. As per allegations by the deceased persons' families, Ramachandra Gartia of Ranipali village, Ashok Nayak of Beherapali village and Jitendra Prasad Tiwari at Sikachhida village died of sunstroke.

Gartia fell ill due to extreme heat while he was outside home for taking bath. He was rushed to the Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed, alleged his son Anand Gartia.

Ashok Nayak collapsed near a playground while he was returning to his home after work. He was declared death at the Bhima Bhoi Medical, alleged his wife Sabita Nayak.

Similarly, Jitendra Tiwari, a resident of Uttar Pradesh and was working as the manager at a country liquor manufacturing unit at Sikachhida village in Balangir, fainted at the site due to heat. His associates admitted him to the Bhima Bhoi Hospital where he died under treatment.

On the other hand, 7 people died in Sundargarh district due to sunstroke in last two days, informed district public health officer Pradeep Prasad.

A fact-finding team has rushed to Rourkela to assess the situation caused by severe heatwave conditions.