PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Ranchi, June 19: Delayed monsoon coupled with relentless heat and severe heat wave prevailing in the state claimed several lives so far this summer.
According to unconfirmed reports as many as 20 heat – related deaths have been reported from various parts of the state so far this summer.
In a latest case relentless heat wave claimed two lives in Deoghar and Dumka last week.
The deaths were reported from Asanbani of Ranishwar block of Dumka and the other case was from Madhupur.
On Friday, the day temperature in some districts of the state including Godda, Deoghar and Daltonganj had reached 44 degrees.
The case of the death of a 65-year-old woman came to light in Asanbani on Friday due to heat stroke.
In Madhupur, a 40-year-old man was found lying unconscious on a road on Friday. He was rushed to the hospital where he died during the course of treatment.
As many as eleven deaths including a cop took place so far this month. As per Met records this June is considered to be the hottest in past several years with most districts notching 40 degrees and above continuously for the last few days.
Daltonganj, considered the heat chamber of the state witnessed as many as four heat stroke deaths so far this summer.
Kolhan region too which has been facing severe heat wave condition with day reading notching seven to eight degrees above normal claimed two lives- an elderly vegetable vendor and a middle- age daily wager.
The state’s disaster management department, however, failed to provide any figures on heat – related deaths.
” We don’t have any record of specific heat- related deaths, ” said Prabhat Kumar, an official of the state disaster management department.
When contacted secretary of the state disaster management department Amitabh Kaushal, he did not pick up the phone. He also did not respond to the text messages when asked to confirm about this year’s heat – related deaths.
The unconfirmed deaths goes on to show that in an era where summers are only going to get harsher, the state will need to formulate and implement comprehensive heat action plans.
At the same time, hospitals and doctors will need to be on the lookout for heat-related ailments, while authorities will have to be more observant and alert.
A senior doctor in Jamshedpur said while high temperatures raise the risk of hyperthermia or heatstroke, even lower temperatures, when coupled with high humidity, can be dangerous as the body struggles to cool down through perspiration.
Temperatures, combined with relative humidity and wind speed, represent heat index or the “feels like temperature”, which is a more accurate tool to assess risk.
Prolonged exposure to a heat index between 40-50° is associated with heatstroke.
Jharkhand has been witnessing a worst summer with places like Daltonganj, Jamshedpur, Godda, Latehar, Garhwa, Deoghar and several other places experiencing unbearable extreme temperatures ranging between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius.
Ranchi too which has an altitude advantage is reeling under severe heat wave condition.
Two heat stroke deaths were also reported from the capital and its adjoining areas earlier this month due to the prevailing heat wave.
Notably, in Met parlance heatwave conditions are declared when the maximum is over 40°C over the plains; over 37°C over coastal areas and over 30°C over hilly regions and the deviation from normal is between 4.5 and 6.4°C above the average maximum. If these conditions persist for two consecutive days, a heat wave is declared on the second day.
