A person was killed due to sunstroke in Belpahar area of Jharsuguda district on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Hanuman Tulangia (67) of Grindola Contatriksa village under lakhanpur police limits.
Jharsuguda on Monday was the second hottest place with 46 degree Celsius temperature recorded. Coal-rich Brajrajnagar, Belpahar, Bandhbahal and Banharpali towns too have been experiencing blistering heat and the temperature in the mine area is always a few degrees higher.
Roads wore a deserted look as residents refrained from venturing out. Due to the scorching heat, shops and markets also remained closed during most part of the day. Water shortage and widespread power outages have caused a double whammy as Ib, Bheden river and most of the water-bodies, tube wells and hand pumps in the district have dried up due to decreasing level of groundwater.
Consequently, the people were forced to remain indoors but have had a hard time due to long power outages while NREGA workers had a hard time working under the sun.
“It’s notable that despite such high temperatures, the attendance of more than 6,850 MCl workers employed in five open-cast mines and four underground mines was not affected,” said Ib Valley Coal Fields sources.
Meanwhile, waiting rooms meant for travellers in Jharsuguda and Brajrajnagar Bus Stands have been illegally occupied by vendors while passengers have to wait for buses in the open, braving the scorching sun. The district administration has asked people to stay indoors between 12 am and 4 pm. Besides, all hospitals have been told to install air-coolers.