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Six sunstroke deaths in State

BHUBANESWAR: As the mercury level touched 40 degree Celsius at several places of the State in the current heat wave, at least six persons reportedly died wilting under the scorching sun.

According to the Revenue Control Room, two deaths each were reported from Khurda and Puri district while Balasore and Keonjhar had one death each due to sunstroke by Tuesday.

After coastal districts experienced sudden rise in temperature during last three days, western districts felt the heat.

The industrial town of Jharusuguda experienced the highest temperature of 41.2 degree Celsius on Tuesday followed by Sundargarh, a district having scattered mining operations, with 40.9 degree Celsius. The other western Orissa places such as Bolangir and Titlagarh recorded 40.3 degree Celsius and 39.9 degree Celsius respectively on Tuesday.

Keeping the soaring temperature in mind, the State health department moved to ensure adequate stock of medicine for combating heat wave-related casualties. It issued advisories for people not to work for long hours under sun.

According to the stock list at central drug store here as on Tuesday, 5.88 lakh saline bottles, 75,146 ORS packets and 96.17 halogen tablets have been stored to meet emergency situation. Additional air-conditioned cells have also been opened at district headquarter hospitals.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who chaired a high-level meeting on the heat wave conditions prevailing in the State on Tuesday, said as per a long-term plan, all the industries would be impressed upon to take up massive plantation programme in industrial pockets in a big way to reduce the impact of scorching heat.

He also directed the Panchayati raj department to construct concrete tanks at village level for storing water for cattle.

The Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP), the largest zoo of the State, had also taken a series of steps to prevent casualties due to rise in temperature.

“A control room is functioning from the Zoo hospital. A squad headed by the veterinary assistant surgeon, which is provided with a vehicle and adequate stock of ice, water hose and other equipments, will make rounds starting from noon up to 3.00 pm to observe the animals and birds in their enclosures,” NZP Director Ajit Patnaik said.

Similarly, roofs of several enclosures were covered with straw to keep the place cool, he said.

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