At least 110 have died of heatwave between March 1 and June 18 this year and more than 40,000 people grappled with suspected heatstroke this summer, the Union Health Ministry said.
A report by PTI quoted sources in the health ministry as saying that with 36 heatstroke deaths, Uttar Pradesh is the worst-affected.
Bihar reported 17 deaths, while Rajasthan saw 16 casualties, as per the the data compiled under the National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“The data visible may not be final submission from states. So the numbers are expected to be higher than this,” the official source was quoted as saying.
As per the data, on June 18 alone there were six deaths due to heatstroke.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh which reported the highest number of heatstroke cases – 10,636, logged only five confirmed deaths, a report by The Indian Express quoted sources as saying.
Till May end, there were only 56 confirmed heatstroke deaths and 24,849 cases across the country, the report added.
Most parts of northern and eastern India have been reeling under intense long heat, increasing heat stroke casualties.
On Wednesday (June 19), Union Health Minister JP Nadda held a review meeting on the heatwave situation in the country, after which guidelines for heatwave were reiterated by Director General of Health Services Dr Atul Goel to the states.
Nadda also directed that special heatwave units must be set up in all central government hospitals to cater to those falling ill due to the heat. He even asked officials to ensure all hospitals are prepared for providing the best healthcare to the affected
An advisory for the State Health Department on ‘Heat Wave Season 2024’ was also issued by the health ministry.
“The country may observe above normal seasonal maximum temperatures in-line with the observed trend of summertime temperatures. To reduce health impacts of extreme heat, health departments must ensure preparedness and timely response,” the health ministry said.
Through the advisory, state nodal officers under the National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) have been asked to start submitting daily the data on heatstroke cases and deaths and total deaths from March 1 besides reporting under Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance.
With inputs from PTI
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