Odisha government confirms 14 sunstroke deaths

Bhubaneswar, May 2:

Blistering heat wave condition continued in several parts of Odisha as 15 places recorded above 40 degree Celsius on Monday while the state government said it had received reports of deaths of 140 people due to sunstroke but only confirmed 14 of them.

“We have received reports regarding death of 140 people due to heat stroke. However, 69 cases have been inquired so far and 14 deaths have been confirmed due to sunstroke. 55 death cases occurred due to some other reasons,” said a functionary of the special relief commissioner’s office.

While the mercury has shown a declining trend in coastal Odisha, western Odisha continued to boil under the intense heat wave. Industrial town Talcher recorded highest temperature of 44.6 degrees Celsius followed by Jharsuguda at 44.3 degrees. Both Bolangir and Bhabanipatna registered 44.2 degrees Celsius while Angul recorded 44.1 degrees, said a bulletin of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Capital city Bhubaneswar recorded 40.1 degree Celsius.

Meanwhile, the local weather office predicted thunderstorms for the state on Tuesday. (IANS)