The scorching heatwave sweeping across Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, and Odisha has claimed around 100 lives over the past three days. As temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius in multiple regions, northern UP recorded 54 deaths, while eastern Bihar reported 44 fatalities.
The Ballia district hospital has been hit particularly hard, with the death toll reaching 54 due to heat-related incidents, including an additional 20 fatalities reported in the last 24 hours. Meteorological officials have issued a yellow alert for intense heatwave conditions in parts of UP, raising concerns about the well-being of the population.
Dr SK Yadav, the Medical in-charge, revealed that over the past three days, approximately 300 people have been admitted to the district hospital for various ailments, with 54 people succumbing to the severe heat conditions. The high number of deaths in Ballia has prompted the UP Government to initiate an investigation, leading to the transfer of Chief Medical Superintendent Diwakar Singh.
“We have ordered a probe to determine how so many people died within a short span of time in Ballia. A team of doctors from the health directorate will investigate the cause of these deaths. We have an ample stock of medicines, and the Government will ensure proper treatment for patients,” stated Brijesh Pathak, the Health Minister.
In response to the crisis, doctors and healthcare workers have had their leave cancelled, and health workers in rural areas are actively engaged in addressing the situation. Additional beds have been made available in the emergency ward to accommodate the influx of patients. The district hospital administration has established a 15-bed special ward in compliance with the district administration’s instructions. Most of the admitted patients are aged 60 and above, exhibiting symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and heart attacks.
Manish Pathak, a resident of Ballia who recently lost his father, expressed his concerns amidst the scorching temperatures. He shared that the emergency ward is receiving five to six patients per hour, and despite concerted efforts, the death toll continues to rise, raising alarm among the public and officials alike.
The scorching heatwave has plunged Ballia into a state of despair, leaving residents fearful of venturing outside. The streets wear a deserted look as people seek refuge from the extreme temperatures. This unprecedented situation has shocked the community, as the district has never witnessed such a high number of heat-related fatalities. “I have never seen people dying in such large numbers due to the heat,” lamented a concerned resident.
Ballia, along with central and eastern UP, continues to grapple with oppressive heat. On Sunday, the district experienced a maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius, surpassing the normal range by five degrees. With a relative humidity of 25 per cent, the impact of the heat has been intensified.
Atul Kumar Singh, a scientist from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), highlighted that temperatures across the entire State are currently above normal. “No relief is expected in the next 24 hours. Consequently, the IMD has extended the ‘Yellow Alert’ for heatwave conditions until June 19 in parts of UP,” he said.
In neighbouring Bihar, the situation is equally dire. Out of the 44 reported deaths, 35 occurred in the city of Patna alone, while the remaining nine were reported from other districts. Patna, the capital of Bihar, experienced a staggering maximum temperature of 44.7 degrees Celsius on Friday, with temperatures surpassing 44 degrees Celsius in 11 other districts.
