Over the past three days, Odisha has mourned the loss of up to twenty individuals to sunstroke amidst scorching heatwave conditions, as per an official statement. Disturbingly, since Friday, various districts have reported a staggering 99 suspected sunstroke-related fatalities. Following post-mortem examinations and inquiries, it has been confirmed that 20 of these tragic deaths were indeed caused by sunstroke, while two were attributed to other factors, the statement revealed.

Investigations are actively ongoing for the remaining cases, the statement further stated. Prior to this alarming spike, 42 suspected sunstroke deaths had been documented, with six confirmed cases and six others linked to different causes.

The affected districts, including Bolangir, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Sonepur, Sundergarh, and Balasore, witnessed the bulk of these distressing incidents, as reported by officials. Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena and Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu convened with district collectors on Sunday to assess the situation.

Directives were issued to district administrations to enforce heatwave advisories rigorously and undertake preventive measures. Furthermore, districts were urged to ensure thorough post-mortem examinations for all suspected sunstroke-related deaths to facilitate ex-gratia assistance.

Additionally, local revenue officers and medical officers are tasked with conducting joint inquiries to determine the precise cause of each fatality, officials emphasized.