JEYPORE/ROURKELA/ATHAGARH:Intense heat claimed at least five lives in the State. While two persons each died in Sundargarh and Koraput districts, one death was reported from Athagarh.
In Koraput district, one Lalu Nachika of Podapadar village under Narayanpatna police limits allegedly died of sunstroke while another death was reported from Semiliguda in the district. Jeypore recorded 41 degree Celsius on Sunday.
In Rourkela, two persons, including a 12-year-old girl, died in the last 48 hours. They victims are Alisha Soren (12) of Jarakudar village in Lathikata block and Kamaldeep Sharma (35) of Kolkata.
Brahmani Tarang IIC Upendra Pradhan said at around 5 pm on Saturday, Alisha complained of severe head reeling before falling unconscious. She was admitted to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) where she died on Saturday night. A post-mortem was conducted in the presence of an executive magistrate on Sunday and the report is awaited to ascertain the cause of death.
On the other hand, Plant Site police registered an unnatural death case after Sharma, a ‘Dhaki’ (traditional drummer) of Kolkata, died on Friday afternoon. Police said Sharma was part of a troupe which had come to Rourkela for Ram Navami festival. On Friday, around 3 pm, he fell unconscious and was declared brought dead at RGH. Police said the autopsy report is awaited.
Athagarh: Musi Nayak of Gaudajhari village under Kulailo Gram Panchayat allegedly died of sunstroke on Saturday afternoon. Musi had gone to graze cattle in a nearby field where she collapsed following uneasiness. Her family members rushed her to Sub-divisional Hospital where doctors declared her brought dead. After postmortem, the body was handed over to the family members. The report is awaited to ascertain the cause of the death.
Jharsuguda Sizzles at 45.5
Jharsuguda: Mercury touched a record 45.5 degree Celsius in Jharsuguda on Sunday, highest of the season. The town recorded 44.4 degrees on Saturday. Despite taking adequate precautions like wearing wet scarf on the head, covering faces and drinking sufficient water, people complained of uneasiness and dehydration, said Santosh Mishra. Adding to the heat woes is shortage of drinking water in several areas.