Season of death in Gujarat

The death rate remains high in summer, especially in April and May. But this time, there has been an astounding 70% jump in the average rate for May in the last four days, all because of the heat wave prevailing in the city.

The data provided by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation says that 39 people have died because of sun stroke and 206 more have been admitted in various public hospitals of the city, but the number could be much higher. As per the data of birth and death registrar's office of AMC, the average number of deaths in the city has gone up to 188 per day between May 21 and 24.

"In April and May, the number of deaths is higher than other months," said Dr Amit Begda, registrar (birth and death) of AMC. He said that the average number of death remains around 100 per day in summer, which has shot up appreciably this year because of the heat waves.

As per AMC data, a total of 752 deaths have been registered in the city in the last four days with the count per day being pegged at 188. It is difficult to determine the exact figure, because the reason for death at the crematorium is given as 'natural' or ageing or some other disease. However, doctors are of the opinion that higher temperature worsens the conditions of elderly people and also badly affects people with high blood pressure.

Moreover, the fire and emergency department has received one and a half times its usual calls for mortuary van services (Shabvahini) in the past four days. "Generally we receive around 65-70 calls per day. This has increased to an average of 170 per day," said an official of the department. He also said that they have put all 12 mortuary vans into service but still cannot give timely service to people because of increased number
of calls.

Moreover, private ambulance providers also receive many calls to take dead bodies to the crematorium. "In normal circumstances people prefer only AMC's mortuary van. However, we have received around 35-40 calls per day because of increased number of deaths in the past four days," said Ashish Shah, in-charge of ambulance service of Mission Life India.

AMC staff have been experiencing a trying time. "We have been receiving around 22 dead bodies since May 21 — the figure is around six-seven in normal circumstance," said Baldev Parmar, registrar at VS Muktidham. He said that his staff have been working till late nights. Moreover, people had to wait for their turn to perform the last rites of their relatives, added Parmar.