UP Worst-Hit By Heatwave With 35 Fatalities, Delhi Close Second With 21 Deaths

Between March 1 and June 20, a severe heat wave caused up to 143 deaths across the country, with 41,789 people suffering from suspected heatstroke, according to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

However, the actual numbers are likely higher since the data from NCDC's National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance lacks recent updates from states, and several health facilities have not yet reported the number of heatwave casualties.

Photo Credit: PTI

On June 20, 14 deaths were confirmed due to heatstroke, and nine were suspected, raising the March-June death toll from 114 to 143.

Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of deaths at 35, followed by Delhi with 21, and Bihar and Rajasthan each with 17.

Temperatures in Delhi are estimated to have caused at least 100 additional deaths, including 40 cases at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, pending autopsy confirmation.

Gautam Buddh Nagar's Post-Mortem Cases

From June 18 to 20, the local health department received 75 bodies for post-mortem, significantly higher than the usual daily average of seven or eight.

Gautam Buddh Nagar's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Suneel Kumar Sharma said, "There has been an increase in the number of post-mortem cases and this increase is quite unexpected. On June 18, we received 28 bodies, 25 on June 19, and 22 by the evening of June 20."

Among the bodies received, 20 were marked as 'brought dead,' including 10 unidentified individuals.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has instructed officials to visit Centre-run health facilities to assess heatstroke deaths. He stressed on the need for hospitals to be prepared to provide optimal treatment for heatwave-affected patients.

Following Nadda's directions, the health ministry issued an advisory for state health departments.

The advisory predicts above-normal seasonal maximum temperatures and stressed on the importance of preparedness and timely response by health departments to mitigate extreme heat's health impacts.

The official death toll is likely an undercount due to alleged delayed and incomplete reporting from various states and health facilities.

(With PTI inputs)