As the general elections draw to a close with the final stage scheduled for June 1st, Mirzapur is grappling with a lethal heatwave that claimed the lives of five Home Guards on electoral duty. Additionally, 16 guards were hospitalized in the Trauma Center due to heat-related illnesses. These guards were deployed for the seventh phase of voting. It is reported that these deceased were stationed at the Polytechnic Grounds before they fell ill and were admitted to the Trauma Center, where they succumbed to the heat.
Indeed, the entire North Indian region is shattering heat records; temperatures have surpassed 51 degrees in some localities. Consequently, dozens of lives have already been lost. Specifically, in Mirzapur, the temperature peaked at 47 degrees on Friday. The meteorological department forecasts even higher temperatures, suggesting Saturday could see the mercury hit 49 degrees. Amidst the blistering sun on Friday, the condition of the guards worsened, leading to fatalities.
Dozens succumb to the heatwave in North India
Before these incidents in Mirzapur, there have been numerous heatwave-related deaths across the country. A total of 43 people perished due to extreme temperatures. In Bihar alone, heat claimed 32 lives; the most affected districts include Aurangabad with 17 deaths, Ara with six, and three deaths each in Gaya and Rohtas. Two more were reported in Buxar and one in Patna. In Odisha, the death toll reached 10.
In addition to these, within the last 24 hours, Palamu district in Jharkhand witnessed the deaths of five individuals. Similarly, 10 fatalities were reported in Odisha, and in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, five and one death were reported respectively. In a tragic episode prior to this, a 40-year-old man from Darbhanga, Bihar succumbed to heatstroke in Delhi. His temperature rose nearly 10 degrees above normal to 108 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to multi-organ failure.
Amid searing temperatures, the public is advised
-Avoid exposure to heat, stay cool, and prevent dehydration.-Pay attention to the heatwave warnings on media channels.-Drink plenty of water, even if you are not thirsty.-Wear light-colored, sweat-absorbent cotton clothes.-Use sunglasses, umbrellas, hats, and slippers when stepping outside.-For outdoor workers, cover your head, face, hands, and feet with damp cloths. Use an umbrella to protect yourself from direct sunlight.-Move anyone affected by the heat to a shaded area, wipe them with a damp cloth or give them a bath, and seek medical attention promptly.-Carry drinking water when traveling. Consume raw onions and carry them in your upper pocket.-Use homemade drinks like lassi, panas made of green mango, water mixed with tamarind, rice water, lemon water, buttermilk, etc., to replenish fluids.-Recognize the symptoms of heat stroke, heat rash, and heat cramps, such as weakness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, perspiration, and fainting. Seek immediate medical advice if you feel unwell or faint.-Keep your home cool by using curtains and doors, and open them during the cooler evening and night times to air out the space.-Use fans and wet cloths, and bathe frequently. Provide cool drinking water at the workplace.-Inform workers to stay out of the direct sunlight, and try to schedule or adjust strenuous tasks to cooler parts of the day.-Increase the frequency and duration of rest breaks if you are outside.-Give special attention to pregnant women and individuals with illnesses.
