New Delhi: India saw a staggering 24,849 suspected heat stroke cases and 56 confirmed fatalities due to heat-related illnesses between 1 March and 30 May — according to the data accessed by ThePrint from the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) under the Union health ministry.
The statistics gathered as part of the NCDC’s National Heat-Related Illness and Death Surveillance indicated that May was the deadliest month, with 46 heat-related deaths. Additionally, a high of 19,189 suspected heat stroke cases were reported in May alone.
The alarming statistics emerge as parts of India, particularly the northern, northeastern, and western regions, face severe heatwaves, with temperatures in some areas of the national capital nearing the 50 degrees Celsius mark.
According to the NCDC statistics, Madhya Pradesh reported the highest, 14, confirmed deaths due to heat-related illnesses over the last three months followed by Maharashtra with 11. Telangana, Rajasthan and Odisha each reported five confirmed deaths from heat stroke.
Madhya Pradesh recorded the most suspected heat stroke cases at 6,584, with Rajasthan reporting 4,667 cases. Uttar Pradesh, despite being the most populous state, reported 1,433 suspected cases and no deaths.
Since 2015, the NCDC’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has been tracking heat-related illness and death data from vulnerable states.
A senior health ministry official told ThePrint, “These numbers are dynamic and getting updated by the NCDC daily based on the figures shared by the states. The official added that the numbers are likely to go up over the next weeks.
ThePrint reached Union health secretary Apurva Chandra via calls. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
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Keeping a vigil
At a meeting held in April to review the preparedness for heat-related morbidities in the country, top health functionaries, including Union health minister Mansukh L. Mandaviya, emphasised creating a repository of data from each state.
The authorities had also said that a granular status and analysis of overall heat stroke forecasting, pattern, climatology and vulnerable zones in India was prepared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
This covered the trajectory of rainfall patterns, humidity and forecast of the transition from El Nino to El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
In a statement issued in April, the health ministry also said that Heat Action Plans had been updated in 23 states, while around 100 districts have readied their action campaign on heatwave awareness generation and standard operating procedures for surveillance of heat stroke cases and deaths.
The government had also said that an advisory had been sent out in February to all chief secretaries requesting compliance under the National Action Plan on heat-related illnesses for keeping the health facilities ready.
States were also advised to review facilities for assessing the availability of essentials, such as medicines, intravenous fluids, ice packs, ORS and safe drinking water.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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