Death toll due to heatwave rises 12 in state
Raipur | Correspondent: The intense heat wave in Chhattisgarh has led to tragic consequences, with the death toll rising to 12.
On Saturday, temperatures soared above 44 degrees Celsius in most parts of the state, reaching a scorching 46.4 degrees Celsius in the capital city, Raipur.
Among the victims, truck driver Jagpal Singh from Tatanagar, Jharkhand, succumbed to the heat wave in Shivrinarayan, Janjgir-Champa district. Other fatalities include America Singh (a driver from Khursipar, Durg), Shambhu Korwa (truck helper from Dhurki near Garhwa, Jharkhand), and farmer Jaipal Rathore (from Janjgir city).
A truck driver has been reportedly died in Kanker district, which recorded a maximum temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius.
Reports indicate additional deaths due to the heat wave in various parts of the state, although confirmation is pending. Bhagirathi Kanwar, a police officer at Bhanpuri police station in Raipur, lost her life during traffic duty. Similarly, a woman in ward number 14 of Sargaon, Bilaspur, succumbed to heat stroke.
The elderly Mahatma Suryavanshi in Janjgir-Champa district, laborer Fenkuram Oraon in Mangala (Bilaspur), and 27-year-old Shail Kumar Suryavanshi in Uchhabhatti village (Sipat) also fell victim to the extreme temperatures. Even Tirath Ram Sahu, who had come to listen to the Shiv Mahapuran Katha in Amleswar, Durg district, could not withstand the heat.
Tragically, female laborer Bhadra Bai fainted due to heat stroke in Aheri (Nandini police station, Durg) and could not be saved despite being rushed to the hospital.
On Saturday, the capital city recorded the maximum temperature at 45.7 degrees Celsius, following with Durg and Mungeli that recorded mercury at 45.6 degrees Celsius, as per the state Meteorological department.
