The death toll due to sun stroke in Jalgaon district has reached eight on Tuesday. The deceased include a nine-month-old girl and a 24-year-old bridegroom. The latter died a day before his marriage.
Jalgaon and the northern parts of Maharashtra have been experiencing extreme temperatures, ranging from 41 to 45 degree Celsius. “Each passing day the temperature is on the rise and there is no sign of respite. In May, the temperature reaches up to 48 degree Celsius,” said Sanjay Patil, a Jalgaon resident.
The deceased are Rupali Patil, 17, Eknath Bhoi, 52, Dhigambar Patil, 30, Eknath Somvanshi, 71, Shreekant Patil, 24, Gayatri Chavan, 9 months, Nilkant Mahajan, 45 and an unidentified person aged 57.
A number of people have been suffering from heat-related illness such as headache, nausea and fatigue.
Shreekant Patil, the bridegroom, died a day before his marriage was to be solemnised. Once the haldi function was over, Patil had gone out. However, he complained of giddiness and he fainted. Patil was declared dead on reaching the hospital.
Bhoi, a farmer, died while working in his farm. Somvanshi succumbed to heat at a bus stop in Chopda (a teshil in Jalgaon) and Rupali Patil died while coming home from private coaching classes in Jalgaon city.
Deputy director general of The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) RV Sharma has said that the death toll will keep rising in this heat. “Heat will keep rising till the monsoon arrives.
People should avoid going out in the afternoon heat. If it is urgent, then take precautions. Drink lots of water/lemon water, cover head and face and use sun glasses,” he said. The IMD has said that India will have a normal monsoon this year with 98% rainfall.
